Matlala demands investigator’s notes be struck from record

Résumé détaillé

Organised crime-accused Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala’s appearance before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry was dominated by a tussle over whether evidence gathered by the commission’s…

Organised crime-accused Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala’s appearance before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry was dominated by a tussle over whether evidence gathered by the commission’s investigator, Bongani Dlamini, could remain on the record.

On his second day before the Madlanga Commission, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala faced intense questioning over a March consultation detailing his dealings with former deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya – a session his defence team now insists was off the record.

Matlala’s counsel, advocate Annelene van den Heever, argued on Tuesday, 10 November, that the meeting with a commission investigator and evidence leaders at Pretoria’s Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre was confidential and inadmissible.

However, evidence leader advocate Mahlape Sello SC rejected the claim, stating the session was formally intended to secure a statement from Matlala. Evidence leader advocate Adila Hassim subsequently drew on investigator Bongani Dlamini’s account of the March meeting to challenge Matlala’s testimony.

The clash follows Monday’s testimony in which Matlala accused Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) chief investigator Dylan Perumal and senior investigator Brian Padayachee of coercing him into signing a plea-and-sentence agreement.

Dlamini’s account, however, tells a starkly different story regarding Matlala’s dealings with Sibiya. According to the investigator’s notes, Matlala claimed Sibiya assisted him in securing an SAPS health-services tender for Medicare24. Following the award, Matlala allegedly withdrew R500,000 from his companies Medicare24 and Lux Africa Brand, and delivered the cash to Sibiya at his home in Centurion’s Copperleaf Golf Estate.

Van den Heever said she would file an affidavit seeking to have Dlamini’s evidence excluded and expunged from the commission’s record.

Matlala confirmed paying Sibiya R550,000. He said R500,000 was a contribution towards Sibiya’s son’s wedding in North West, while a further R50,000…

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