Bulelwa Hoala

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has denied having ties to alleged crime kingpin and tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
This comes after recent explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi which incriminate Mchunu, his alleged associate Brown Mogotsi, and Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.
In a statement released on Wednesday, 9 July 2025, Mchunu denied ever meeting or speaking to Matlala but confirmed knowing Mogotsi as a comrade.
“The Minister has never met Mr. Matlala, has never spoken to him, nor has the Minister ever requested or received anything from him. The Minister did however, initiate a review of the SAPS tender awarded to him when suspicions of possible wrongdoing surfaced. It was the same tender which has since been terminated.
“Furthermore, whilst the Minister knows and has met Mr. Brown Mogotsi, he is just a comrade and not an associate of the Minister. The Minister has never requested or received anything from him,” the statement read.
At a press conference held on Sunday, 6 July 2025, Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of having links to criminal gangs and interfering in police investigations concerning politically motivated murders.
He also alleged that Matlala was funding Mchunu’s political career and shared alleged text messages and a payment made by Matlala as proof.
In June 2024, Matlala was awarded a R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) tender, which was cancelled just before he was arrested for attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder relating to an alleged hit on his ex-girlfriend Tebogo Thobejane in May.
Meanwhile, the Department of Correctional Services (DSC) has confirmed that Matlala, who is currently behind bars at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility, was found in possession of a cell phone in his prison cell.
“Correctional services confirm that Vusimuzi Matlala was transferred to C-max at Kgosi Mampuru following the discovery of an illegal item, a mobile phone to be specific, which was in his possession during the raid that was conducted over the weekend,” DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said.
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