A bombshell allegation was presented to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, revealing that tender tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala allegedly confessed to bribing a senior police official to secure a massive R360 million contract with the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The testimony was delivered by a Gauteng Counterintelligence operative, identified only as ‘Witness C’. According to the witness, Matlala admitted to making cash payments to suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya as an “assurance” for winning the lucrative tender.
Witness C detailed a clandestine operation where the money was allegedly collected from Matlala’s luxury Centurion home by a detective working for Sibiya, identified as Sergeant Nkosi. The witness claimed Matlala would summon Nkosi to collect “packages” on the general’s behalf.
The nature of these packages was made explicitly clear under direct questioning from the commission’s chair, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga:
- Justice Madlanga: “What packages?”
- Witness C: “The money packages, Commissioners.”
The commission, which is investigating criminality and corruption within law enforcement, has adjourned with Witness C expected to return to the stand to continue his testimony.