Pretoria – A heated exchange erupted during the sitting of Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee when DA MP and former prosecutor, Glynnis Breytenbach, relentlessly interrogated controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, challenging his long list of withdrawn criminal charges, his connections to senior police officials, and millions of Rand in payments she labelled “bribes”.
Using a firm, prosecutorial tone, Breytenbach confronted Matlala with a detailed timeline of more than a dozen arrests dating back to 2000, including theft, housebreaking, carjacking, attempted murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms, many of which were withdrawn.
Matlala confirmed only one conviction, a 2001 burglary for which he served four years, insisting the rest were “nonsense charges”. Breytenbach questioned how Matlala, with such a record, enjoyed “unusually close access” to police generals, held firearm licences, and operated a security company.
Matlala repeatedly said he followed all legal processes and received no favours. He admitted earning roughly R2 million a month from his security business. The tension escalated when Breytenbach interrogated Matlala about millions he paid to senior police officials, including a R500,000 payment to former Police Minister Bheki Cele’s associate, which she said constituted corruption.
Matlala insisted it was “returning a favour” after his problems with the police were “sorted out”, denying he was the corruptor.
“If you were in my shoes, you’d do it as well,” he said.
Breytenbach pushed back sharply, stating, “That is a bribe. You were the corruptor.”
Questions around payments linked to ANC January 8 celebrations triggered further intervention from MPs. Matlala testified he gave money to former SAPS official and ANC figure Manamela “because he asked”, saying it was for flights and accommodation for his friends. ANC MPs objected to suggestions that the party itself was “bankrolled”.
Matlala also admitted that kidnapped Pretoria businessman Jerry Boshoga was a close friend, he also acknowledged that Boshoga was involved in drug trade but insisting friendship and criminality should not be conflated.
Breytenbach challenged him on why he maintained such friendships and why he lent money to someone he knew benefited from illicit trade. Matlala replied, “I cannot dictate what other people must do with their own lives.”
The session ended with Breytenbach repeatedly accusing Matlala of denial, insisting that “massive payments” made to protect his R360 million SAPS medical assessment contract amounted to corruption.
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