‘I first met him at my wedding’: Senona admits personal bond with Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala

KwaZulu-Natal Hawks boss Major- General Lesetja Senona acknowledged forming a personal relationship with alleged criminal cartel leader Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala after meeting him at his own traditional wedding in 2019 - a connection he described as brotherly.

But he firmly rejected claims that it crossed into corruption.

Testifying before the commission on Tuesday, Senona said the first encounter took place in Pretoria, where Matlala was introduced to him by a relative of his wife who was romantically involved with Matlala at the time.

Senona told the commission Matlala was presented to him as the owner of CAT VIP Protection Services.

“I took a liking to him,” Senona said. “He was humble, respectful, and likeable. We exchanged numbers.”

Under questioning, Senona conceded that the relationship developed beyond a casual acquaintance, describing it as a “brotherhood”.

He maintained, however, that the bond was personal rather than professional and insisted he never engaged with Matlala in a business capacity.

The testimony comes as Senona faces serious allegations that he improperly assisted Matlala in securing a R360-million South African Police Service (SAPS) tender.

The claims were introduced through the evidence of a protected witness, known as Witness X, who testified remotely and submitted WhatsApp messages allegedly implicating Senona.

Among the messages shown to the commission were exchanges between Senona, Matlala and Senona’s son, Thato, discussing property matters and document sharing.

In one message, Senona asks Matlala: “Good afternoon brother. Did you meet with Thato?” Matlala replies that he was still awaiting an offer.

Further allegations suggest Senona leaked confidential SAPS documents to Matlala and used his influence to protect Matlala’s business interests, including contracts linked to Medicare24.

Senona denied all such claims.

“I deny allegations that I have assisted Matlala in securing the Medicare24 tender,” he told the commission.

“Tenders of that magnitude are handled at national SAPS level. They go through a formal process. I have no knowledge of who sat on the bid committee,” he said.

While he admitted knowing Matlala, Senona appeared at times to downplay the depth of their relationship, declining to elaborate further and offering inconsistent explanations.

At one point, he told the commission: “I never met Matlala as a businessperson. I was introduced as a husband to my wife.”

He also noted that his wife and Matlala share the same surname.

Senona also rejected allegations from Crime Intelligence head Lt-Gen. Dumisani Khumalo that he leaked sensitive police information or supported a criminal network.

He said he had received only one Rule 3 notice linked to Khumalo’s testimony, which he described as malicious and unfounded.

Addressing claims that he facilitated connections on Matlala’s behalf, Senona acknowledged introducing him to a third party over private security concerns but characterised the interaction as limited and lawful.

“It was general advice on risk assessments,” he said, adding that he was unaware of any alleged criminal activities associated with Matlala at the time.

Senona further denied any knowledge of the so-called Big Five cartel, saying he understood the term only in reference to wildlife.

He remains on the witness stand as the commission continues to probe

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics