Suspended EMPD acting Julius Mkhwanazi told the Madlanga Commission that he was close tycoon Vusimuzi “CAT” Matlala. Suspended Ekurhuleni metro police chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, said he prayed for tycoon Vusimusi “CAT” Matlala to secure aR360 million South African Police Service (SAPS)contract, claiming Matlala had promised him a lucrative business future and early retirement. Testifying at the Madlanga Commission on Thursday,Mkhwanazisaid he welcomed the idea, noting the close personal relationship he had with Matlala.
“We were close like that,” he told the commission, adding that he had repeatedly received money from Matlala. He elaborated: “In fact, even on top of that, we had this arrangement with Ngamla [boss in this context].” “When this SAPS thing gets approved, I will make you happy. I want you to resign.
We had that… and I prayed for him, you see,” he said Matlala told him this. WhileMkhwanazi admitted receiving multiple payments from Matlala, he denied that they were bribes, claiming the funds were meant for petrol, food, or personal emergencies. He initially downplayed the amounts but later acknowledged receiving over R70,000, despite previously stating the maximum was between R15,000 and R20,000.
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“Yes, we had lunch, suppers, we met regularly. Sometimes he would give me money for petrol or borrow money from me. We are that close… he was never negative to me, only very positive.
“The only thing that stopped the communications was fear… but we were very, very close. I treated him like a brother… we were like blood brothers,” Mkhwanazi testified.
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