WATCH: 'I met Cele at Beverly Hills hotel' - Matlala returns to Madlanga hot seat - IOL

Alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has returned to the Madlanga Commission for the third day for questioning.

Alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala returns to the Madlanga Commission for a third day of testimony, facing mounting questions over his alleged connections to senior police officers and government departments.

Matlala admitted meeting former police Minister Bheki Cele at the Beverly Hills hotel in December 2024.

"I relayed to him my challenges with the PKTT and what transpired in my house, and he undertook to assist in resolving the impasse." 

"He also informed me that I am caught up in a 'Zulu War." 

Matlala said it was Cele who raised the issue of the Medicare24 contract.

He said that Cele said he was aware that Minister Senzo Mchunu had issued an instruction to SAPS management to look into the said contract and he said the minister had made a mistake as he was not supposed to involve himself in operational matters of the SAPS. 

His appearance follows two days of questioning about his statement to IDAC investigators, during which he repeatedly declined to answer certain questions, invoking his constitutional right against self-incrimination.

Matlala has admitted paying former deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya R500,000, but maintained the money was intended for a family wedding.

The commission is expected to probe the payment further and scrutinise allegations surrounding Matlala’s links to senior law enforcement figures and his alleged influence within state institutions.