In testimony before the Madlanga Commission, Witness C revealed claims by organised crime accused Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala that he paid R500,000 to support sidelined Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's ANC presidency bid. Matlala allegedly felt betrayed after the minister failed to protect him from investigations. The evidence also implicated top police officials in receiving bribes from Matlala.
On 30 October 2025, Witness C, an anonymous member of the elite Political Killings Task Team, resumed testimony before the Madlanga Commission, detailing explosive claims made by Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala during an informal meeting on 14 May 2025, just before his arrest at Boksburg Police Station.
Matlala, accused of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, and defeating the ends of justice related to incidents in Johannesburg from 12 to 17 October 2023, allegedly disclosed bribing high-ranking figures. He claimed to have paid R500,000 in January 2025 to fund Senzo Mchunu's campaign for ANC presidency, covering flight tickets and accommodation for delegates at the party's 113th anniversary event on 11 January 2025 at Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Witness C quoted Matlala saying Mchunu had ambitions to run for ANC president, with people including a minister seeking contributions. Matlala believed Mchunu did not honor the deal, lamenting, “I’m funding the person who has all the power to make things happen for me, yet that person gives me no assistance, only extends a receiving hand.” Mchunu has denied any relationship with Matlala.
The testimony extended to police officials. Matlala allegedly paid suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya up to R1-million monthly in cash, including R300,000 for his son's wedding and R2-million for a plot in Midrand registered under Sibiya's wife's name, delivered at Sibiya's Sandton estate. Sibiya, who admitted knowing Matlala but denied impropriety, reportedly told Matlala after the January 2024 murder of Pretoria taxi boss Jothan 'Mswazi' Mbisi, “Please take care of him, and he will take care of me.” Matlala also claimed paying R80,000 for Major General Richard Shibiri's promotion party via Black AKA Trading, later in cash, and R500,000 of a R2.5-million demand by Major General Feroz Khan, head of counterintelligence.
These allegations highlight the 'Big Five' cartel's infiltration of SAPS and politics, as per Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo's prior testimony. Matlala, linked to the cartel, faces charges including the April 2024 murder of Q Tech engineer Armand Swart. During a 6 December 2024 raid on his home, he alleged Mchunu and his security used grabber machines to identify investigators. Witness C noted Matlala's frustration, having expected protection for his R360-million SAPS contract, cancelled on 13 May 2025. The commission is analysing Matlala's bank statements for paper trails.