Inside the Matlala Scandal: Police Contracts, Syndicates, and Whistleblowers

Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala’s R360 million police contract was suddenly cancelled, costing 52 workers their jobs. Now, Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has launched a full probe into irregularities surrounding Matlala’s vast business empire. Allegations link him to a powerful criminal syndicate and even to the suspension of former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Much of Matlala’s fortune traces back to Tembisa Hospital, where whistleblower Babita Deokaran, later assassinated, exposed deep corruption. This case is fast becoming a test of South Africa’s fight against state capture and organised crime.