Mkhwanazi Warn Of Alleged Underworld Boss Matlala’s Deep Influence In Law Enforcement.
The revelation first surfaced last year through Eyewitness News, which reported that Matlalala’s cars were illegally fitted with blue lights supplied by Ekurhuleni’s police chief, Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has cautioned against underestimating the influence of alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlalala within law enforcement agencies.
Testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Thursday, the KZN police commissioner detailed how some of Matlalala’s personal vehicles were registered and maintained by the City of Ekurhuleni.
Blue Lights and Municipal Privileges
The revelation first surfaced last year through Eyewitness News, which reported that Matlalala’s cars were illegally fitted with blue lights supplied by Ekurhuleni’s police chief, Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi.
A classified report from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) corroborated these findings.
According to the police Commissioner, Matlalala intentionally sought to integrate himself within law enforcement structures.
“Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala is one fellow that has been enjoying too much privilege from law enforcement and the typical example is that four or five of his personal vehicles were registered by the deputy chief of police in Ekurhuleni, Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi,” he said.
Evidence Linking Police Minister Mchunu To Criminal Syndicates Will Be Presented, Says Mkhwanazi Mkhwanazi further highlighted Matlalala’s longstanding attempts to embed himself in law enforcement.
“The vehicles, when you test them on the system, reflect as if they belong to the municipality.
He took these vehicles, and he caused the municipality to take municipal blue lights, and he fitted them on these vehicles,” the commissioner explained.
Mkhwanazi tells how JMPD officer aided murder suspect Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe using state systems
KZN provincial police commissioner, Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi further accused a Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officer of misusing state resources to assist murder-accused Katiso “KT” Molefe, including allegedly renewing vehicle licences on Molefe’s behalf in return for personal favours.
Mkhwanazi made explosive allegations during the second day of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Thursday.
The commission, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is investigating corruption, political interference, and the shielding of criminal networks within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Mkhwanazi named Metro police officer Johannes Makgatle as having close ties to Molefe, who was arrested on December 6, 2024.
“An example I’m putting here is one police officer from Johannesburg Metro (Police Department). This police officer is a very close associate of the arrested Mr Katiso Molefe,” Mkhwanazi said.
On February 5, 2025, Makgatle submitted an affidavit to the General Crime Intelligence Operations (GCI Ops), the unit investigating Molefe.
Mkhwanazi read from this affidavit, detailing Makgatle’s involvement on the day of Molefe’s arrest.
Makgatle said that he was contacted by Molefe about a suspicious vehicle near his home.
While on duty, he allegedly fetched Molefe, checked the vehicle’s registration using the police system, and confirmed it was a police vehicle before returning Molefe to his house.
Later, Molefe’s son, Neo, informed Makgatle that his father had been arrested in connection with the same case involving Warrant Officer Michael Pule Tau, a former detective also charged in the Veereniging murder of Armand Swart.
Makgatle allegedly admitted in his affidavit to knowing both Molefe and Tau, having worked with Tau since 2008.
Mkhwanazi said the concern lies not only in their association but in the favours Makgatle allegedly did for Molefe, including using state systems to identify a surveillance vehicle and tipping him off.
“He used his position to benefit Mr Molefe,” Mkhwanazi told the commission. “That’s unethical and unlawful.”
The highly respected cop also accused Makgatle of using his position to renew vehicle licences for Molefe in exchange for personal rewards.
He said a typed version of Makgatle’s handwritten affidavit will be submitted as evidence.
“This demonstrates a pattern of unprofessional and unlawful conduct by an officer abusing state resources to support criminal associates,” Mkhwanazi said, adding that more officials may be implicated.
On Wednesday, IOL News reported that SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe revealed that three firearms, an AK-47 and two pistols, seized in a major organised crime investigation have been linked to 18 murder and attempted murder cases.
The weapons are tied to Molefe and controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Speaking outside Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, Mathe confirmed that ballistic analysis linked the AK-47 to the attempted murder of taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni (August 2022), and murders of DJ Sumbody and his two bodyguards (November 2022).
She added that the AK-47 was also linked to the murder of Don Tindleni on the N1 (March 2023), and the mistaken identity killing of Swart (April 2024).
One of the pistols is connected to the attempted murder of DJ Vintos (Hector Buthelezi).
The firearms were recovered during ongoing investigations into Molefe and Matlala’s criminal networks.
“The number of cases linked to these firearms has now risen to 18,” Mathe said. “We are still searching for the AK-47 used in the attempted murder of Tebogo Thobejane.”
Matlala, 49, is accused of ordering the 2023 hit on Thobejane.
He faces charges of attempted murder, money laundering, and possession of fraudulent documents.
Prosecutors said he is a flight risk due to his private jet, foreign assets, and a false Eswatini ID allegedly sent by his wife, Tsakane.
Meanwhile, Molefe appeared in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on Thursday alongside co-accused Musa Kekana, Tau, and Floyd Mabusela.
They are charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms.
The group has been linked to the killings of DJ Sumbody, DJ Vintos, Don Tindleni, and Swart.
All were denied bail. The case has been postponed to November 11, 2025 for centralisation, where the court will decide whether to consolidate the charges into one trial.
The accused remain in custody..
