Murder-accused and alleged cartel figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has launched a forceful challenge against Parliament’s use of digital evidence in the police corruption scandal. Matlala’s legal team is questioning the authenticity and origins of text messages said to link him to the scandal.
In a letter to Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS), Matlala’s lawyers are demanding full disclosure on how WhatsApp messages and data were obtained from his personal devices. They are also requesting full transcripts of testimony referencing Matlala, signalling a growing push to challenge the integrity of the investigation.
Challenging the Evidence
The committee previously heard from Matlala during a rare prison sitting at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in November, where he was detained. At the time, he engaged with the evidence, but now he appears to be disowning it. Parliament, however, is pushing back, with committee legal adviser Andile Tetyana dismissing the claims and stating that Matlala had signed a consent form in May 2025 authorising SAPS to extract information from his devices.
Key Players Weigh In
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia confirmed that MPs will be granted limited access to a classified report on Crime Intelligence property acquisitions and security vetting. Meanwhile, Sarah-Jane Trent, former assistant to Paul O’Sullivan, also wants her March 5 evidence before the Ad Hoc Committee declared invalid, saying she was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and was unfit to testify.
For more information on the South African Police Service, visit the SAPS website. The Parliament of South Africa also provides updates on the ongoing investigation.
- Matlala’s legal team is challenging the authenticity of WhatsApp messages and data obtained from his devices
- The committee is pushing back, stating that Matlala had signed a consent form authorising SAPS to extract information from his devices
- Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia confirmed that MPs will be granted limited access to a classified report on Crime Intelligence property acquisitions and security vetting
