Cat Matlala Names Top Politicians and Police Bosses in Explosive Corruption Allegations

Controversial South African businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has made a series of serious corruption allegations against prominent politicians and senior police officials in an unsigned draft affidavit reportedly prepared while he was in prison.

The allegations, which have attracted attention in South Africa, involve claims of cash payments, government contracts, state property leases and alleged dealings with high-ranking figures in the country’s political and law enforcement circles.

According to reports, Matlala prepared the draft affidavit while behind bars as part of an attempt to negotiate a plea deal that could potentially reduce his prison sentence. However, the reported negotiations did not result in an agreement.

In the document, Matlala allegedly implicated former senior police official Shadrack Sibiya and former deputy minister Bernice Swarts in discussions surrounding government property and business opportunities.

Matlala claims that Sibiya arranged a meeting between him and Swarts, during which he was allegedly promised access to leases on state-owned buildings, including a police hospital. According to the allegations, the proposed arrangement was intended to create business opportunities for Matlala’s medical company ahead of the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) system.

The businessman further alleges that several payments were made in connection with the proposed arrangements.

Among the claims in the draft affidavit is that he gave Sibiya R80,000 at an airport to enable Swarts to purchase alcohol for a family ceremony. He also alleges that he handed over another R200,000 in connection with the proposed property leases.

Matlala additionally claims that he paid hundreds of thousands of rand in an effort to secure a police contract reportedly worth R360 million. The allegations also include claims that he provided 20 live impalas as part of the alleged dealings.

In another serious allegation, Matlala claims that he agreed to pay former police minister Bheki Cele R1 million following a police raid on his property.

According to the draft affidavit, Matlala allegedly placed R700,000 in a Woolworths shopping bag and delivered the money to Cele at a penthouse. The allegation has raised further questions about the reported relationship between the businessman and senior political figures.

Both Swarts and Cele have strongly denied the allegations attributed to Matlala.

Swarts reportedly maintains that she never met the businessman, rejecting the claims that they discussed state property leases or entered into the alleged arrangements.

Cele has also denied receiving illicit payments from Matlala. However, he has acknowledged staying at the businessman’s luxury penthouse without paying, a separate matter that has drawn attention amid questions about their relationship.

The allegations have intensified scrutiny of the connections between politically influential individuals, businesspeople and law enforcement officials in South Africa.

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