KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has made serious claims about a man tied to both a huge police contract and alleged underworld crimes. During a media briefing in Durban on Sunday, 6 July 2025, Mkhwanazi accused some senior police officials of protecting criminals linked to tenders and political killings.
At the centre of the claims is Vusumuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, a businessman who received a R360 million contract from the South African Police Service (SAPS). Mkhwanazi believes Matlala is part of a bigger crime network operating in Gauteng.
Allegations Against Police Officials and the Minister
Mkhwanazi said some top police officials were working closely with criminals. He also mentioned that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was not supporting efforts to fight organised crime.
According to Mkhwanazi, police investigators were being moved or silenced. He said this was slowing down cases related to contract killings and syndicates. These moves, he warned, were harming public trust and giving criminals more power.
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Who Is Vusumuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala?
Matlala’s name first came up during the Tembisa Hospital scandal in 2022. That case was partly exposed by the late Babita Deokaran, who flagged several suspicious payments. Matlala reportedly used five shell companies to benefit from hospital contracts.
Despite this, he went on to win a major health services tender from SAPS worth R360 million. The deal raised concerns because the police are still investigating him in connection with his earlier tender fraud.
Ongoing Investigation and Police Payments
Investigative reporter Jeff Wicks has followed Matlala’s dealings for more than three years. He said it was shocking that the same police department investigating Matlala also awarded him a major contract.
A part of the R360 million has already been paid. There are now questions about how SAPS approved this deal while Matlala remains a suspect in earlier fraud cases.
Some groups say this shows poor checks in government procurement. There are calls for urgent reviews of how tenders are awarded.
Attempted Hit on His Former Girlfriend
Matlala was arrested earlier this year for a murder attempt. Police say he targeted Tebogo Thobejane, a well-known actress and businesswoman. She survived a 2023 shooting, which police now think was planned.
Matlala, his wife, and others were arrested. They are charged with trying to kill someone and planning the attack. Matlala is still in jail as the court case goes on. His lawyers say he is not guilty.
Why This Matters for South Africa
This case raises big concerns about corruption in police contracts. Mkhwanazi said the police service should not be working with people still under investigation. He also warned that organised crime is growing stronger because of political protection.
There are now calls for a full investigation into the R360 million contract and the role of top SAPS officials. Many South Africans are asking how a suspect in an ongoing case can still receive public funds.
If action is not taken, experts fear it will damage public trust and make it harder to fight serious crime in the country.
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Hi, I’m Amandeep Singh, a content writer at Ramnath Intercollage. I share updates on jobs, internships, and scholarships across South Africa using official and trusted sources. My aim is to make every post easy to read and helpful for anyone looking to apply.
