Pretoria – Controversial South African businessman Vusimuzi Cat Matlala is expected to appear before an Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday after his attempt to delay the proceedings was rejected. The hearing, which has drawn significant attention across the region including in Eswatini where parliamentary oversight processes are often compared with South Africa’s, will now take place inside the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria, where Matlala is currently detained.
Matlala’s legal team submitted the postponement request on Monday, arguing that they had been unable to prepare him adequately due to the difficult conditions inside C Max Prison. His lawyer, Matlhatsi Abram Madira, stated in a letter to the committee that the tight timelines and the volume of documents had made proper preparation unattainable.
Madira described the consultation process as severely hampered. He said the prison’s infrastructure, including poor network connectivity and lack of suitable facilities, had made it difficult to engage with their client. He also raised concerns about Matlala’s wellbeing, reporting that his client appeared disoriented and struggling to fully grasp certain issues during their most recent consultation.
Despite these concerns, committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane told reporters outside the correctional centre on Tuesday that Matlala would testify as planned. He said the venue had been moved to the prison to ensure Matlala could participate without further logistical challenges. He added that Matlala had previously shown willingness to appear.
The committee is probing allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi regarding claims of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference in South Africa’s justice system. Matlala is among the key witnesses scheduled to give evidence this week, with members of Parliament expected to remain at the facility until Friday.
Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said extensive preparations had been made to ensure the hearings proceed smoothly inside the maximum security facility. He noted that limited space had been allocated for members of the public who wish to attend.
Matlala was arrested in April in connection with the 2023 attempted murder of his former partner, actress Tebogo Thobejane. He has also been linked to fraudulent transactions involving the Tembisa Hospital procurement scandal and is suspected of benefiting from police service tenders allegedly influenced by criminal networks. He was denied bail earlier this year and remains in custody.
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