'CAT' MATLALA FORCED TO THE STAND: COMMISSION SETS SEPTEMBER DATE AS PLEA DEAL CRUMBLES

From courtroom defeat to public testimony — the alleged tender kingpin runs out of room to hide

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has now been ordered to submit a full statement by 29 July and to take the stand on 1 September 2026. No further delays.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief

The Azanian | Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.  

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PRETORIA – Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala wanted more time. The Madlanga Commission gave him a deadline instead.

On Wednesday the alleged criminal tycoon appeared before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry to argue that he should not testify yet. His criminal trial starts Monday. His lawyers said speaking publicly first could compromise his right to a fair hearing.

Matlala has now been ordered to submit a full statement by 29 July and to take the stand on 1 September 2026. No further delays.

Representing Matlala, Adv. Annalene van den Heever told the commission her client is prepared to cooperate. But she argued he needs time to prepare evidence that is “truthful, accurate and supported by verified facts.”

Until then, she said, Matlala could only confirm or deny whether he knows people linked to the commission’s investigation.

The chair was unconvinced. “Your argument is not relevant to this matter,” Justice Madlanga said. He made it clear: a pending criminal case does not stop a commission from doing its work.

“I stand by my position chair that my client cannot go ahead,” Van den Heever insisted. The commission overruled her.

The commission appearance comes just days after Matlala suffered a major blow in court.

In the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, Magistrate Ignatius du Preez tore up a proposed plea and sentence agreement. The deal would have given Matlala an effective 8-year prison term. The magistrate called it too lenient given the seriousness of the charges and proposed 12 years instead.

Matlala refused. He walked away.

The charges relate to the R228 million SAPS health and wellness tender awarded to his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District. The State alleges fraud, corruption and money laundering. More than R50 million was already paid out before an audit exposed alleged irregularities and the contract was halted.

With the plea dead, the case goes back to trial. The NPA insists its case remains strong.

Matlala’s September testimony is expected to be one of the most watched moments of the Madlanga Commission so far.

The inquiry is probing allegations of political interference, police corruption, and criminal networks with access to government tenders. Matlala’s name has been linked to claims of a “Big Five” cartel allegedly operating around the SAPS.

The commission wants answers on his alleged connections to senior politicians, law enforcement officials, and government-connected business dealings. 

Under oath, in public, he will have to explain.

For his legal team, that is the problem. Anything said at the commission can be used in the criminal trial. That is why they fought the date. That is why they lost.

For years Matlala moved in the shadows — tenders, companies, accusations. Now the shadows are gone.

First he must file his statement by the end of July. Then on September 1 he must sit in the chair and answer.

The courts and the commission are running on parallel tracks. And Matlala is caught in the middle.

The message from Justice Madlanga was simple: justice will not wait.

The alleged “Cat” has tried to use up his nine lives with plea deals and postponements. This time, the door is closing.On September 1, the nation will be listening.