MPs head to prison as Ad Hoc Committee relocates

Members of Parliament are heading to the Kgoši Mampuru Correctional Centre in Tshwane this week to hear testimony from Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, who is currently incarcerated.

Matlala's testimony is part of the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, involving claims of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference in the justice system.

The committee, established to investigate the allegations made by Mkhwanazi, is scheduled to hear evidence from three key witnesses in Gauteng this week.

The hearings will take place at the Kgoši Mampuru after a resolution by the committee, intended to ensure the safety and security of all parties involved in the investigation.

The committee previously heard from Section Manager: Information and Security Risk Management, Rudzani Mpilo, who explained that after visiting Kgoši Mampuru, where Matlala is currently held, they assessed that the facility has adequate space and equipment to host the committee.

“From a distance, from security’s point of view, they have adequate facilities that can host these sessions. There is a follow-up meeting arranged with them, and should we be advised by the committee that we should continue engaging (with them), they can further take us through with our technical unit,” Mpilo said.

The committee then expressed willingness to hear Matlala’s testimony directly from the prison.

The Department of Correctional Services spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, was contacted for comment, but referred queries to Parliament.

Matlala, believed to be connected to fraudulent transactions in the Tembisa Hospital R2 billion 'looting', was arrested in April, for allegedly orchestrating the 2023 attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane and is currently in custody after being denied bail.

He is also believed to be at the forefront of the SAPS tenders allegedly manipulated to benefit criminal syndicates purportedly protected by senior political and police officials.

In June 2024, SAPS awarded a major security services tender to Medicare24, a company linked to Matlala.

In addition to Matlala, the committee has resolved to hear from the SAPS’ Chief Financial Officer, and the Deputy National Commissioner for Policing, Lt. General Puleng Dimpane.

The committee will resume with the testimony of Lt. Gen. Mosikili and Dimpane on Tuesday, 25 November 2025.

Speaking of their decision to move proceedings to Kgoši Mampuru, ANC committee member Xola Nqola, who is also chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, stressed that they are not visiting Matlala.

“We're not visiting. We're not visitors. What we are saying is that transporting Mr Matlala from Kgoši Mampuru Correctional Centre to Pollsmoor Correctional Centre to sleep here is going to be a logistical nightmare.

“Now, he is kept in a state institution, in a correctional centre, that has facilities where the ad hoc committee can sit and do its work within those facilities. Because when you say you are visiting him, it looks like we are paying a friendly visit to Matlala in his jail cell. We're not going to a jail cell,” Nqola said.

“It's the continuation of the inquiry, but we're avoiding, given the nature of the allegations and everything that is happening in the country, we’re avoiding the travel from Gauteng to Western Cape, and all the logistical arrangements relating to that, as the security risks could be too high if we transport him.

“So the best way is to transport ourselves to where he is kept. Correctional Services is going to give us space to do our work,” Nqola said.

“We'll recall that in Pretoria, we even have the Justice College (Brigitte Mabandla Justice College) where the Madlanga Commission is seated. So we are going to be accommodated like the Madlanga Commission in a state facility, and that reduces even the money that we are going to use as the advocate in respect of the evidence of Mr Matlala.”

Sibonelo Nomvalo, MP for the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), said that as a committee, they can't discard allegations if they want to get to the bottom of these issues.

“You need to make sure you test evidence. You test allegations which are presented before you. So, we would have embarked on an incomplete investigation without going to that prison to interview Matlala because he must reply. We must give him a right of reply to all these allegations that are raised against him because they are glaring,” he said.