Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala transferred to SA's only super-maximum prison

Attempted murder accused businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala has been transferred to the country’s only super-maximum prison, the Ebongweni Correctional Centre in Kokstad.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) said Matlala was transferred to the KwaZulu-Natal-based prison on 21 December after being moved from the Kgosi Mampuru II prison in Pretoria.

In July this year, Matlala was caught with a cellphone while at Kgosi Mampuru during a prison raid.

DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said legislation empowers the department to transfer detainees from one prison to another based on security assessments and operational demands.

“What has to be emphasised is that the transfer of remand detainees and sentenced offenders between correctional facilities is a standard operational practice, which informed by a range of considerations, primarily security, safety, operational requirements, and effective inmate management across the correctional system,” he said.