Madlanga Commission | Alleged crime kingpin 'Cat' Matlala 'paid for cop's Brazilian butt lift' procedure

Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, a suspected crime kingpin, allegedly donated 10 refrigerators to the SAPS National Excellence Awards which were handed over to the officers who were honoured for their outstanding work in crime fighting.

This came to light at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Thursday in Pretoria, where suspended Deputy National Commissioner for crime intelligence Shadrack Sibiya testified that Matlala was invited to the ceremony by the Acting Deputy Commissioner for crime intelligence Hilda Senthumule.

Sibiya expressed concern over Senthumule's public denial of ties to Matlala, saying he has WhatsApp evidence showing she invited Matlala to a SAPS award ceremony.

"I have in possession of WhatsApp communication which indicates that General Senthumule instructed Major-General Manamela to extend an invitation to Matlala to attend the service excellence awards," he said.

He testified that in 2024 it was alleged that 10 refrigerators were accepted by Senthumule from Matlala's company Medicare24, to be given to best performers within SAPS.

"I am also informed that Matlala and his wife were invited to Senthumule's private residence," he said.

Sibiya claimed Senthumule also benefited from Matlala in circumstances that were not disclosed, including allegations that Matlala covered costs of her Brazilian butt lift (BBL) procedure.

"These allegations included certain medical procedures performed by medical practitioners the cost of which were paid for by Matlala," he said.

Questioned about the origin of the allegations Sibiya indicated that a SAPS manager testified at the commission about colleagues receiving BBL procedures.

SAPS senior official Brigadier Rachel Matjeng recently denied undergoing a BBL procedure, claiming she only asked her alleged boyfriend, Matlala, for the weight-loss drug called Ozempic.

Sibiya said: "In my case...because I work with her every day I had to give her (days) off because she could not sit even in the car or in the office because she couldn't work. She had to at all times be standing."

He told the commission that he even advised Senthumule to work from home.

Sibiya implicated Senthumule in alleged criminal conduct, stating she approved overtime claims for protection services supposedly provided to him, despite him never receiving such services.

“At no stage during May 2023 did Warrant Officer Monageng  or Warrant Officer Segodi or any other member of SAPS perform overtime duties for my protection,” he said.

Sibiya said he reported Senthumule’s alleged conduct to the police watchdog, Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) and the matter is still under investigation.

He said it was questionable that Senthumule approved the overtime claim in the absence of any verification that protection services were requested, allocated or rendered.

He testified that he has never received any gratification or bribery from Matlala.

This was despite a recent testimony by Witness F - a middleman between Matlala and Sibiya - who claimed Matlala gifted Sibiya impalas.

Sibiya told the commission that he was not the only senior official Witness F has a close personal relationship with.

To his knowledge, he said, Witness F and Senthumule are known to socialise and engage in recreational activities together.

He also testified that he first met an alleged political fixer Brown Mogotsi in January 2025 in Cape Town, where the ANC hosted its annual January Statement event.

He had also met Mogotsi on other occasions in Johannesburg and the two did not discuss "any official policing business".

He said during those interactions Mogotsi warned him that he (Sibiya) was being investigated, adding that at no stage did Mogotsi suggested for him to meet Matlala.

raula.moatshe@inl.co.za