Suspended Ekurhuleni metro police chief Jabulani Mapiyeye testified on 6 November 2025 at the Madlanga Commission about an unlawful memorandum of understanding with Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala's security company. The agreement allegedly allowed private access to police surveillance and tactical support, which Mapiyeye described as illegal. This comes amid broader probes into Matlala's ties to law enforcement.
On Thursday, 6 November 2025, suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) chief Jabulani Isaac Mapiyeye appeared before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, revealing details of an allegedly fraudulent memorandum of understanding (MOU) with CAT VIP Protection Services, owned by attempted-murder accused Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala.
Mapiyeye, who was placed on precautionary suspension in September 2024 over sexual misconduct allegations, stated that the MOU, signed by his deputy Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, unlawfully granted the private firm access to EMPD surveillance technology for monitoring suspects, tracking criminals, and providing tactical support in arrests. 'Our members don’t have the power to investigate. The activities that the document suggests CAT VIP Protection Services has undertaken with EMPD are illegal activities in the sense [that] they do not have the legislative powers,' Mapiyeye testified.
He emphasized that Mkhwanazi lacked authority to sign the MOU, as approval required the city manager. 'The MOU is fraudulent. Brigadier Mkhwanazi did not have the requisite authority to conclude any MOU on behalf of the city,' Mapiyeye said. The collaboration reportedly began in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Matlala's other firm, Medicare24, assisted with health testing for EMPD officers.
Mapiyeye also accused Mkhwanazi of running a parallel security operation at the 2022 State of the City Address (SOCA), deploying CAT VIP personnel without his knowledge. An unsigned letter from 15 June 2022 outlined CAT VIP's intent to donate vehicles and helicopter support under the MOU. In 2023, Mapiyeye filed an affidavit with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) declaring the MOU fraudulent, part of the ongoing 'blue light saga' probe where Matlala's vehicles were fitted with EMPD emergency lights.
IPID has recommended disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi and referred the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Separately, the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) confirmed a probe into Matlala over a terminated R360-million SAPS policing contract awarded in 2024, with referrals starting in February 2025. Mapiyeye's testimony continues on Friday.
