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‘I don't know him, let him rot in jail,' Malema breaks silence on Vusimuzi ‘Cat' Matlala scandal

‘I don't know him, let him rot in jail,' Malema breaks silence on Vusimuzi ‘Cat' Matlala scandal

IOL News17-07-2025
EFF leader Julius Malema has denied any association with controversial business tycoon Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, who is accused of corruption and attempted murder.
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.
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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
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Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen received best haul of gifts, Parliament register reveals
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen received best haul of gifts, Parliament register reveals

Daily Maverick

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Maverick

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen received best haul of gifts, Parliament register reveals

Each year Parliament puts out a Register of Members' Interests that never fails to provide entertaining and elucidating reading. It is more than 600 pages, so here are a few tidbits. Stuffed animals, 48 bottles of fine wine, a leather hat and shotgun cartridge case, biltong, a fieldbar cooler, four Nguni hides, a windbreaker, a mohair jersey and a beekeeping suit and instruction manual. This, you might think, sounds like the beginning of a potential wild night out foraging for honey while taunting killer bees in Constantia with either a taxidermied dassie, or a plushy penguin, depending on your interpretation of 'stuffed' animal. These are just a few of the cool gifts DA leader and Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has scored so far since the Government of National Unity (GNU) kicked itself into life in 2024. Agrilove Steenhuisen experienced first hand the hospitality of the agricultural sector, which showered him with the abovementioned gifts. There are others including 'a tartan wool tie' from the UK Minister of Trade and Industry, and which we look forward to seeing the minister wear. Then there is an Ostrich RSA flag and various plumes 'for display in his office in Pretoria' — a very queer-eye-for-ministerial-decor moment. And the least appealing of the lot, 'a breakfast display/various cereals of unknown value from PepsiCo'. Steenhuisen pointed out that this was for the office, probably somewhere in a corner, maybe there by the photocopier. Added to this were 'various Macadamia products' and 'ostrich meat'. With regard to Steenhuisen's shares and other interests he ticked 'nothing to declare', said he did not perform paid work outside Parliament and had no sponsorships. He declared a townhouse of 112 square metres in Sea Point. The minister got to travel to Uganda, sponsored by the African Union, and caught a plane to bucket-list Bothaville, sponsored by GrainSA. 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He had nothing to disclose in the category of shares and other interests, but did mention his listing as a director of Mgagao Shamba PTY, 'which is involved in farming, events, and sales activities'. 'Farming events' of course is open to interpretation, probably in the new Land Court later in the year. Malema declared no sponsorships but fessed up to a bottle of wine and Lindt Lindor chocolates, a gift from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China. Perhaps Steenhuisen and Malema can arrange an evening of competitive wine tasting as a toenadering (rapprochement in Fringlish). The BaPedi Queen, Leganabatho 11 Manyaku Thulare, gifted the commander-in-chief two live sheep, which were valued at R7,000, said Malema. He also owned no land, no property and no rented property. He remained a beneficiary of the famous Ratanang Family Trust and was a trustee and beneficiary of the Munzhedzi Family Trust, along with Mantoa Matlala, Ratanang Malema, Munzhedzi Malema and Kopano Malema. 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Trial of Lusikisiki massacre accused begins today
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Trial of Lusikisiki massacre accused begins today

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Limpopo man purchased R1. 3 million Ford Ranger Raptor with fake payslips, and vanished
Limpopo man purchased R1. 3 million Ford Ranger Raptor with fake payslips, and vanished

IOL News

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  • IOL News

Limpopo man purchased R1. 3 million Ford Ranger Raptor with fake payslips, and vanished

Police said in April 2023, the accused man applied for motor vehicle finance at WesBank to purchase a Ford Ranger Raptor valued at over R1.3 million, and his application was approved. Image: File The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, has arrested a 27-year-old Limpopo man for fraud after he allegedly acquired a top-of-the-range Ford Raptor fraudulently. The 27-year-old man who cannot be identified until he appears in court was nabbed by the Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation unit and the Sekhukhune tracing team at Groblersdal in Limpopo. 'It is alleged that during April 2023, the accused applied for motor vehicle finance at WesBank to purchase a Ford Ranger Raptor valued at over R1.3 million. 'The accused allegedly attached the bank statement and the employer's payslip as requested,' said Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, spokesperson for the Hawks in Limpopo. 'The application was processed and approved.' The dealership then contacted the 27-year-old man and notified him that his application had been successful. 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 ✕ 'He went to the dealership in Polokwane to collect the car, accompanied by two men who are also suspects,' said Mmuroa. As days went by, the 27-year-old man failed to make the monthly installments for the vehicle. The bank tried to contact him without success. 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Image: File In 2023, IOL reported that a Limpopo woman, aged 22, was sentenced to pay R10 000 or spend two years in jail after she used fraudulent documents to buy a Hyundai Atos. At the time, Hawks in Limpopo, Lieutenant-Colonel Matimba Maluleke said the Hyundai Atos valued at over R340 000 was financed by Wesbank in 2022. 'Miranda Thandaza Lubisi was sentenced for fraud by the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 12 May, 2023,' Matimba said. 'On 16 September, 2022, the accused visited a vehicle dealership in Tzaneen and showed interest in a Hyundai Atos valued at R346 122. The accused was assisted by the salesperson at the dealership to apply for vehicle finance that was later approved by Wesbank.' Maluleke said the vehicle was delivered to Lubisi. 'After a few months, the bank was audited and it was discovered that the accused used fraudulent documents to apply for vehicle finance. The case of fraud was opened at Tzaneen police station and transferred to the Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation unit for further handling,' he said. A thorough investigation was conducted, and consequently, the accused was arrested and charged with fraud. After a few court appearances, she was granted bail until she was convicted and sentenced to pay R10 000 or two years' imprisonment,' Maluleke said. 'She was further sentenced to five years imprisonment which is suspended for five years on condition that she does not commit similar offences during the suspension period.' IOL News

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