VIP Detainee “Cat” Matlala to Eat Well as He Testifies Before Parliament

Correctional Services assures comfort and safety for high-profile remandee during Ad Hoc Committee hearings

Even behind bars, some cats still get their cream. Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, the remand detainee and controversial tenderpreneur, won’t be missing a meal or a high-profile opportunity to testify before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee.

Matlala is currently held at Kgoši Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria, where he is under investigation for his alleged role in the R2 billion Tembisa Hospital looting and a 2023 attempted murder linked to his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane. Despite the gravity of these allegations, Correctional Services has assured that his dietary schedule and comfort will be fully maintained during committee proceedings.

Parliament Comes to the Prison

This week, MPs will hear evidence from Matlala as part of their probe into allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference in the South African Police Service, raised by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

To ensure safety and smooth proceedings, the Ad Hoc Committee will conduct the hearings inside the maximum-security facility. According to Singabakho Nxumalo, national spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services, meticulous planning has gone into every aspect:

“We are very meticulous. Even with this sitting of the Ad Hoc Committee, we have gone to great lengths to ensure that we give Parliament the best sitting, very comfortable and they may even want to extend their time here.”

Safety and Comfort: VIP Treatment Behind Bars

Nxumalo confirmed that Matlala will be safely escorted from his cell to the hearing venue via a secure, undisclosed route. He stressed that the detainee’s meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner will continue uninterrupted, though timings may adjust to fit the committee schedule.

“We are very strict in terms of what he gets to consume and where, so that at no point will you find gaps that could be utilised for other means,” Nxumalo said.

This level of planning highlights the high-profile nature of the remandee. Matlala’s alleged activities involve SAPS tenders, including a 2024 security services contract awarded to Medicare24, a company linked to him, and his purported connections to criminal syndicates shielded by senior political and police officials.

A Week of Witnesses

The committee will not only hear from Matlala. Other key figures include SAPS Chief Financial Officer and Deputy National Commissioner for Policing, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane. Testimony from Lieutenant General Mosikili and Dimpane is scheduled to continue on Tuesday, 25 November 2025.

The hearings are set to run until Friday, with limited public attendance, underscoring the sensitive nature of the testimonies.

Public and Social Media Reactions

News of Matlala’s “VIP” treatment has drawn attention online. Some South Africans are questioning why a remand detainee accused of serious crimes should receive such comfortable arrangements, while others point out that ensuring security and orderly proceedings is a necessary part of parliamentary processes.

Context Matters

Matlala’s testimony comes at a critical moment, as Parliament investigates the alleged intertwining of state contracts, corruption, and political influence. His appearance underscores the delicate balance between due process, safety, and public perception when handling high-value remand detainees.

While the nation watches, one thing is certain: even behind bars, “Cat” Matlala will have his cream and a front-row seat to Parliament’s inquiry.

Source: JoburgETC

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