Texts from Witness F’s phone appear to corroborate Matlala’s version

General overview at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry at Brigitte Mabandla Judicial College in Pretoria on 22 September 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Luba Lesolle Text messages between Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Witness F appear to corroborate the tenderpreneur’s previous statements. In what may be the Madlanga commission’s most difficult witness to deal with yet, Witness F testified in camera following failed attempts to derail his testimony.

It was only after the commission ruled against a second postponement of his testimony and that his WhatsApp messages could be admitted that he began cooperating – although he maintained that he “could not comment” on some of the questions. Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson led the evidence as the commission insisted that Witness F could not be allowed to “get a free ride”, which would set a precedent allowing witnesses to choose not to respond to questions. On 5 July 2023, suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya sent Witness F his home address.

Later, Witness F responded: “I’m here at the gate.” On 4 March 2024, Witness F sent Matlala a contact card for Sibiya. He, however, denied having introduced Matlala to Sibiya. This version corroborates Witness C’s October testimony, in which he detailed Matlala’s relationship with Sibiya, as told to him by the tenderpreneur on the day of his arrest. According to Witness C, Matlala said he used to provide security services to the late Pretoria taxi boss Jothan ‘Mswazi’ Msibi’s farm.