Activist and Citizens Forum spokesperson Dennis Bloem has sharply criticised the sudden transfer of controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to Kokstad Maximum Prison in KwaZulu-Natal, raising allegations of corruption within the Department of Correctional Services.
Matlala, who has remained in the public spotlight due to his high-profile legal troubles, was previously being held at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria, where he was reportedly housed in the C-Max single-cell section, a facility reserved for high-risk or high-profile inmates.
Bloem questioned the timing and reasoning behind Matlala’s abrupt relocation, suggesting that the move was neither routine nor administrative in nature.
“The sudden transfer of Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala to the Super Maximum Prison in Kokstad raised serious suspicions. Why now?” Bloem said. “We suspect that corruption between Vusimuzi Matlala and some corrupt Correctional Services officials is at play here. This cannot just be a haphazard decision. Something serious might have happened leading to this drastic move.”
According to Bloem, the lack of a clear and transparent explanation has fuelled speculation about possible undue influence or internal dealings within correctional services. He argued that transfers involving high-profile detainees are typically carefully planned and communicated, particularly when they involve movement between provinces.
Bloem has called for greater accountability and an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the transfer. He insists that the public deserves to know whether the decision was motivated by security concerns, internal incidents, or improper conduct.
“Correctional facilities must operate with integrity and transparency,” Bloem said. “If there is nothing to hide, then the Department of Correctional Services should come out and explain exactly why this decision was taken.”
At the time of publication, the Department of Correctional Services had not issued an official response to the allegations. No details have been released regarding whether Matlala’s transfer was linked to disciplinary issues, security risks, or operational requirements.
The controversy adds another layer to ongoing public scrutiny surrounding Matlala’s incarceration, while Bloem’s remarks are likely to intensify calls for oversight and reform within South Africa’s correctional system.