MPs dismiss Matlala as nothing more than a ‘dishonest thug’ & ‘criminal’

Members of Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing police corruption have dismissed convicted criminal and controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala as nothing more than a “dishonest thug” and a “criminal”.

They’ve accused Matlala of living a life of crime while also benefitting from political favours through his businesses, which have scored multimillion-rand contracts from the police.

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Matlala came under attack while taking questions from members of Parliament (MPs) before the ad hoc committee sitting at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria on Thursday.

His evidence concluded on Thursday, after two days of questions around his multimillion-rand tender and alleged payments to politicians like former minister Bheki Cele.

Matlala was also grilled about alleged infiltration of law enforcement and his links to drug cartels.

Committee member Glynis Breytenbach also took time to list all Matlala’s run-ins with law enforcement, dating back 25 years.

“The problem in this country today is that people like yourself clothe yourself in respectability and calling yourself a businessman, but you are nothing but a dishonest thug.”

ActionSA MP Dereleen James also had some equally harsh words for Matlala.

“You are not merely a businessman, you are, in fact, a criminal involved in the destruction of our communities and the destruction of our children.”

The committee will now move its business back to Cape Town after being granted an extension by the National Assembly until February to conclude its inquiry.