‘I don't know him, let him rot in jail,' Malema breaks silence on Vusimuzi ‘Cat' Matlala scandal
Image: X/EFF
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has distanced himself from controversial businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, following social media speculation linking him and his wife to the embattled tycoon.
'He must go - rot in jail. I don't know him. I don't even care about him,' Malema told journalists on Wednesday outside Mponegele Primary School voting station in Limpopo, where by-elections were held in Ward 13.
'I've never had anything to do with him. So you take a petty gossip and come ask me about it? There are serious national issues you should ask me about. I've got nothing to do with what is happening.'
Malema also expressed frustration over the scrutiny, 'When I speak, you all complain. When I keep quiet, you all complain. I don't know what you want now ...le a nnyaka, man (you really want me to talk).'
Malema's comments followed speculation on social media suggesting his wife, Mantwa Matlala, is related to Matlala or uses VIP protection services offered by his company, CAT VIP Protection.
Images making rounds on social media, purportedly show a woman believed to be Mantwa being protected by agents from CAT VIP Protection.
Some users have alleged that this connection is the reason for Malema's silence on Matlala.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Others, however, said there were no links between Mantwa and the businessman.
'Cat' Matlala made headlines recently after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused him of interfering in police operations and shielding criminal networks.
During a press briefing last week, Mkhwanazi presented WhatsApp messages, SAPS documents, and cellphone records that allegedly show efforts to dismantle a KZN task team.
Mkhwanazi linked Matlala to Brown Mogotsi, a 'comrade' of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, and revealed Matlala had received a R360 million SAPS health services contract that has since been canceled.
According to Mkhwanazi, the disbandment of the task team was 'a calculated move to shield a criminal syndicate embedded in law enforcement and politics.'
In response, President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on special leave and established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
On Tuesday, he appointed Gwede Mantashe as acting police minister, while Mantashe continues in his current role in Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
Professor Firoz Cachalia is expected to assume the role permanently in August after retiring from Wits University.
IOL News previously reported that Matlala is facing additional charges related to a 2023 shooting incident involving South African socialite Tebogo Thobejane, known for her role on Muvhango.
Thobejane was shot in the foot on the N1 near Sandton, while a female passenger suffered a serious spinal injury.
Last week on Friday, Matlala and his three co-accused appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate's Court.
The state announced plans to consolidate two other cases - one in Pretoria West and another in Lyttelton - into the current matter.
Proceedings were postponed to August 26.
Matlala appeared in shackles and was transported under heavy guard to the C-Max unit at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre.
He faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, and money laundering.
His co-accused include his wife, Tsakani Matlala (accused number four), Musa Kekana (accused number one), and Tiegi Floyd Mabusela, also known as Danny (accused number two).
Tsakani Matlala was added to the charge sheet in May and granted R20,000 bail due to health concerns and her role as a mother of young children.
Bail conditions include surrendering her passport, remaining in Gauteng, and avoiding contact with witnesses or relatives of the other accused.
Matlala was arrested on May 14 in Midrand following what police called a 'high-profile investigation.'
He is accused of orchestrating a hit on Thobejane and laundering millions, including funds tied to the canceled SAPS contract.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
IOL Politics
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Malema warns new Minister Manamela about department challenges and advises Nkabane to be humble
EFF leader Julius Malema says former Higher Education minister Nobuhle Nkabane must be humble and know that she does not know and be prepared to be guided and be advised by proper people. Image: X / EFF EFF leader Julius Malema on Thursday offered free advice to newly-appointed Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela and his sacked predecessor Nobuhle Nkabane. Responding to questions from journalists at a media briefing in Cape Town, Malema said Manamela should never trust the department's director-general (D-G) Nkosinathi Sishi, whom he described as 'the big problem' in the department. 'He is the one who misleads them. He worked with Blade (Nzimande) that D-G. Blade is disgruntled and bitter about his removal from higher education. He will do anything and everything to undermine whoever is in that institution,' he said. 'Buti must find a way to part ways with that D-G and bring a competent, qualified person who is not Blade Nzimande stooge, if he wants to succeed in that department,' he said. Malema gave the advice days after Manamela replaced Nkabane. Nkabane was axed amid the investigation by the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education into the now-cancelled appointment of chairperson for boards of Sector and Education Authorities (SETAs). She withdrew the appointments of chairpersons for the SETA boards following public outrage after the list of the appointments was leaked. The appointments had included ANC-aligned people that included former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Buyambo Mantashe, son of ANC national chairperson and Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe, among others. Nkabane had told the portfolio committee that an 'independent panel' had made recommendations on the appointment of board chairpersons. However, those she named to have served on 'the independent panel' denied involvement in the work of the panel apart from confirming the appointments to be panellists. Malema described Nkabane's sacking as 'so painful', adding that she was young and had the chance to come back. 'I have seen people demoted politically rework themselves and come back. The first thing she must do is stop chewing gum in a meeting,' Malema said. His reference to chewing gum related to a recent portfolio committee meeting where Nkabane was seen chewing something while being interrogated by MPs. 'She must be humble and know that she does not know and be prepared to be guided and be advised by proper people. Only a person who does not know how government works would have advised what she did.' Malema noted with concern that Nkabane had not used 'the second chance' given to her by the portfolio committee to explain the selection and recommendations made by the 'independent panel' on the appointment of SETA board chairpersons. 'She leaves the committee to go to a gender-based violence (event) of a TVET college when TVET colleges are a responsibility of a deputy minister. Someone from the streets is misleading her. She is listening to someone who has no idea what we deal with here (Parliament). There are certain things you don't do in Parliament. She should have known.' Malema also said Nkabane had not been collegial to 'the protection' in the form of her ANC colleague and committee chairperson, Tebogo Letsie. 'That was extremely girlish. She was not ready to be a minister. She must go to the branch and learn,' he said. [email protected]
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Julius Malema: MK Party won't affect EFF support among progressive South Africans
EFF leader Julius Malema told the media in Cape Town that the Red Berets will only be reduced among tribalists, not among progressive South Africans. Image: Ayana Ndamane / Independent Newspapers EFF leader Julius Malema said on Thursday the MK Party, which is the third largest in Parliament, would not reduce its support base despite being relegated to fourth place after the 2024 elections. 'There is no MK that is going to reduce us. It will reduce us among tribalists, not among progressive South Africans,' Malema told the media during a briefing in Cape Town ahead of the party's anniversary celebrations on Saturday. 'There is no MK that can replace us ideologically, politically, and otherwise. You saw yesterday in Parliament, a mess in action,' he said. He was referring to the flip-flopping made by MK Party chief whip Colleen Makhubele during the vote on the Appropriation Bill in the National Assembly. Makhubele voted in support of the Bill only to change their vote, claiming she mistook it for the Ad Hoc Committee that was established to probe the serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Malema expressed his shock that Makhubele had not corrected herself when she was allowed to do so by Parliament's House chairperson Cedric Frolick, but 'she says we vote in support'. He also noted that Makhubele had 'thrown her toys' when Frolick did not recognise her, instead of EFF MP Omphile Maotwe, when there was an opportunity to object and call for a division when the schedule of budgets of the department was voted. 'The TG (treasurer-general Omphile Maotwe) said 'we are going against and called for a division'. She threw her toys. The issue was much bigger than emotions. When they objected and called for division, we supported them,' he said. 'She behaved like she was not a leader and threw toys,' Malema added. He also said the EFF has proven to be an effective opposition party in Parliament. Malema also said his party was making huge inroads in the Western Cape ahead of the 2026 local government elections. He said the Western Cape was one of the provinces where the Red Berets increased the number of votes during the May 2024 general elections. 'Research shows that the EFF is to have huge increases in the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape. We are here to consolidate the ground because this is where we want to grow,' he claimed. Explaining the Western Cape as the host of their 12th anniversary celebrations, Malema said the province had never hosted their anniversaries. 'We were told the season is not good, it's rainy and windy. We have had to take a bold decision that we can't have a province in the history of our organisation, which has never hosted the national celebrations of the EFF, because we are a national organisation.' The EFF national leaders moved the anniversary celebrations from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape following the devastating floods that displaced people and left communities in mourning. 'The EFF made the responsible decision to relocate the venue out of respect and solidarity with those affected.' He also said the choice of Khayelitsha as a venue was significant because it is the second largest township and home to thousands of poor and working-class Africans who lived under the weight of special apartheid and deliberate under-development. 'Khayelitsha remains physically and economically separated from the so-called World Class parts of Cape Town. When the DA-led city speaks of this smart city, they are not referring to Khayelitsha. They are referring to the wide enclaves of Sea Point, Claremont, Constantia, and Stellenbosch, while the people of Khayelitsha are left to swim in poverty, crime, poor sanitation, overcrowding, and the lack of basic housing.' Malema said they have erected a dome with a capacity to accommodate 10,000 people as the main venue for the rally. 'This structure includes all essential amenities, including sanitation facilities, and will be ready to host thousands of Fighters, supporters, and community members. 'We expect a powerful turnout from surrounding areas, including side B, Site C, TR Section, Nyanga, Gugulethu, Delft, and Belhar.'
The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
Malema dismisses Kunene's defence over Molefe as ‘pure lie'
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has rubbished claims by Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy leader Kenny Kunene, saying his explanation for being at the home of murder suspect Katiso 'KT' Molefe is a 'pure lie.' Speaking during a press briefing in Cape Town on Thursday ahead of the EFF's 12th anniversary, Malema dismissed Kunene's version of events, including his claim that he didn't know Molefe, the businessman accused of involvement in DJ Sumbody's killing. Malema said Kenny Kunene's version of events did not make sense. 'Kenny's story is not coming together,' he said. 'It's a pure lie. And that's how thugs 26, 28 gangs succeed. They lie, they think they can outsmart everyone. They are just lying and they don't care whether you are convinced or not.' Malema questioned Kunene's claim that he took a journalist to Molefe's house for an interview. He found it suspicious and unprofessional that an official would involve a journalist in a meeting with someone facing serious charges. 'Taking a journalist is not a secret operation. Who's that journalist? Why would you take a journalist to someone who just came out of prison, who's on bail, as an MMC?' Malema asked. He said he felt vindicated when he first heard that police had caught Kunene at Molefe's home. 'I'm very happy, you know. I danced even at night. Things are looking good. We told you these people are criminals. They are nothing else but mapantinti,' he said, using a slang term referring to criminals. Malema confirmed he knew Molefe, but only as a public figure, not personally. 'I know that guy. Not from a personal point of view. He's a well-known businessman. Until now, we knew him as a businessman.' He compared that limited knowledge with how close Kunene allegedly is to Molefe. 'I don't have a relationship with him like that. I can't call Patrice Motsepe or go to his house and take my wife there. Patrice Motsepe's wife knows my wife. I don't know a guy like Molefe in that way.' Malema insisted Kunene was lying when he said he didn't know Molefe. 'For Kenny to behave like that in public office and say he doesn't know that guy, that's a lie.' This statement from Malema came after Kenny Kunene was seen at the home of Katiso 'KT' Molefe during a police raid. Kunene's presence at the residence of the murder suspect sparked controversy and raised questions about his relationship with Molefe, leading to widespread scrutiny and calls for clarification. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
