Cat Matlala admits lying to Parliament over R550,000 paid to Sibiya

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has admitted paying suspended deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya R550,000, reversing his previous testimony before Parliament and providing fresh details about his relationship with the senior police officer.

The controversial businessman made the admission at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where he was questioned about payments, alleged gifts and his relationship with Sibiya, whose name has featured prominently in the investigation into alleged corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

On Tuesday, 10 November, Matlala confirmed that he handed Sibiya R500,000 in cash in the basement of the State Theatre in Pretoria. He claimed the money was intended as a contribution towards Sibiya’s son’s wedding in the North West.

He also admitted paying a further R50,000 towards travel expenses associated with the SAPS Excellence Awards in Durban.

When asked directly whether he had given Sibiya the R500,000, Matlala responded: “Yes, I do.”

However, he refused to explain the circumstances surrounding the payment in an open hearing, citing concerns about his safety and that of his family.

“I am uncomfortable discussing the reasons publicly because of the security implications,” he told the commission, offering to explain the circumstances in camera or through another confidential arrangement.

The admission contradicts his earlier evidence before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating allegations of corruption in the police service. When EFF leader Julius Malema asked whether he had ever given Sibiya money, Matlala had responded: “No, never.”

He has since acknowledged that he misled the parliamentary committee.

The commission also heard that Matlala’s latest version differed from an earlier statement he signed during failed plea negotiations, which he now claims was fabricated by Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) officials.

He specifically named investigators Dylan Perumal, Brian Padayachee and Suneel Bellochun, accusing them of inserting information into his Section 204 statement that he had not provided.

Matlala claimed he was pressured into signing and initialling documents without being given an opportunity to properly read their contents.

He also disputed allegations contained in the statement that the R500,000 payment was linked to the awarding of the controversial R360-million SAPS medical and wellness services tender to his company, Medicare24.

Commissioner Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC questioned why a businessman would give a senior police officer such a substantial amount of money.

Matlala maintained that he could not discuss the reasons publicly, while Commissioner Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC became increasingly frustrated with his reluctance to answer questions.

“We are having this back and forth, and my view is that this has been a complete waste of our time,” Baloyi said.

She added: “If this is how we are going to proceed, then my honest view is that you are being obstructive.”

Baloyi reminded him that he was appearing before a fact-finding commission and was expected to assist its work.

Another significant part of Matlala’s testimony concerned an engagement celebration for one of Sibiya’s children, where he identified several senior police officials and former intelligence operative Robert McBride as people who were present.

Among those he mentioned were former head of the SAPS College Sandra Malebe-Thema, Lieutenant-General Hilda Senthumule and Major-General Richard Shibiri, the former head of the SAPS organised crime component.

Their mention in the proceedings does not, in itself, establish wrongdoing by any of them.

Matlala also disputed Sibiya’s earlier version of how he came to attend the family celebration. Sibiya had previously testified that Matlala was there to collect his wife, Tsakani, who had allegedly been drinking.

Matlala rejected that account, saying he attended as a guest and remained at the event for approximately two hours. He said former SAPS sergeant Fannie Nkosi had communicated the invitation to him.

Nkosi’s name has also featured in testimony concerning the relationship between Matlala and Sibiya, with allegations that she acted as an intermediary in the transfer of money and gifts.

The commission has previously heard allegations about 20 live impalas that were transported from Matlala’s farm in Limpopo to Sibiya’s property in March 2024.

Matlala said Nkosi approached him on 21 March 2024 with a request from a friend for impalas. He agreed to pay the transportation costs but claimed he did not know the animals were destined for Sibiya’s farm.

A voice note from a person identified as Rudy Farm Manager was also presented to the commission. The individual requested a pin-drop location for the delivery, with Matlala forwarding the message to Nkosi.

Matlala said he only discovered later that the animals had been delivered to Sibiya’s property. The commission heard that the impalas subsequently died.

He also distanced himself from allegations that Sibiya demanded another R500,000 after receiving the initial payment, maintaining that the total amount he gave the suspended police general was R550,000.

The businessman further implicated North West businessman Brown Mogotsi in the impala controversy, saying he was stunned when Mogotsi told the commission that he had given impalas to Sibiya. Matlala claimed he confronted Mogotsi about the allegations.

Mogotsi has separately featured in the commission’s investigation into alleged political interference and corruption, particularly concerning his relationship with suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and his dealings with Matlala.

Matlala’s lawyer, Advocate Anneline van den Heever, also raised concerns about alleged consultations between commission evidence leaders Adila Hassim SC and Mahlape Sello SC and her client at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in August, without his legal team being present.

She said she received information about the meetings from senior commission investigator Bongani Dlamini, who allegedly indicated that the discussions would be off the record.

Sello rejected the accusation, saying the meeting was formally intended to obtain a statement from Matlala.

Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga directed van den Heever to submit an affidavit setting out her allegations and the relief she was seeking, after which the evidence leaders would be given an opportunity to respond.

The latest revelations place renewed scrutiny on Sibiya, who has previously denied receiving money from Matlala. His earlier testimony has yet to be reconciled with Matlala’s latest admission.

At the centre of the inquiry is the R360-million Medicare24 contract, which was awarded in July 2024 to provide medical and wellness services to SAPS members at the police college in Pretoria. Approximately R228-million was paid before the contract became the subject of investigations into alleged irregularities.

The Madlanga Commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2025 to investigate allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system.

Matlala’s testimony remains subject to scrutiny, and the allegations against Sibiya, the named investigators and other individuals have not been established as findings of the commission. Those implicated retain their right to respond, and the commission’s proceedings do not amount to criminal convictions.