Former 'street kid' becomes central figure in South Africa's police corruption inquiry
Vusimusi Matlala, who grew up as a street child, is now the key person in South Africa's investigation into police corruption involving gifts and contracts.
Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala's name has dominated proceedings of South Africa's major inquiry into alleged police corruption, and on Wednesday he is finally expected to give his testimony. The 49-year-old businessman, who has been in police custody for over a year on a separate case, is accused of offering generous gifts—including 20 impalas, weight-loss drug Ozempic, and personal loans—to buy influence and secure police contracts.
Matlala has previously testified before a parliamentary committee last November, denying corruption allegations but admitting to donations for activities linked to the African National Congress. However, he has not yet addressed wider allegations at the Madlanga Commission, including claims of involvement in a drug trafficking cartel.
Little is known about his early life, mostly from his parliamentary testimony. Matlala was born in 1976 when South Africa was still under white-minority rule and grew up in a township east of Pretoria. He told lawmakers his mother "disappeared" and he had to raise himself, essentially becoming a street child. He reunited with his mother in 2002 when she was terminally ill. After her death, he learned she had been sexually assaulted, which he attributed to her albinism.
After leaving school, he started an informal business, leading to run-ins with the law. In 2001, he was convicted for possessing stolen goods. Over the years, he was arrested for house robberies, a cash-in-transit heist, and assault, but he denied involvement and was either acquitted or charges were dropped.
In May 2025, he was arrested and charged with attempted murder (which he denies). He was later charged with corruption related to providing health services to the police.
Since September last year, when the Madlanga Commission began, allegations of Matlala's close and corrupt relationships with senior police officers have emerged. Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is accused of indirectly receiving campaign funds from Matlala; Mchunu denies this. Matlala also alleged former minister Bheki Cele demanded a 500,000 rand ($31,000) "facilitation fee" after police returned confiscated firearms. Cele denies receiving money.
Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, who oversaw a controversial police contract awarded to Matlala, admitted to an on-off romantic relationship with him that included lavish gifts like Ozempic. Major-General Richard Shibiri, head of the organized crime unit, admitted receiving a $4,000 personal loan from Matlala for car repairs but denied a close friendship.
Matlala's name also emerged in a scandal in Ekurhuleni, where acting police chief Julius Mkhwanazi allegedly arranged blue lights and sirens for Matlala's vehicles. Mkhwanazi denies the allegations but admitted receiving money from Matlala.
Many South Africans hope Matlala's testimony will reveal the mechanics of the alleged corruption.
