Mkhwanazi shares his bromance with 'Cat' Matlala before Parliament

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Julius Mkhanazi said he developed a “brotherly relationship” with alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala after meeting him to discuss business.

Mkhwanazi said he first met Matlala through members of his Cat VIP security company while discussing security-related matters in 2022 before their relationship developed into friendship.

Mkhwanazi was responding to questions about his close links to Matlala while testifying before the ad hoc committee investigating police corruption in Parliament on Thursday.

Mkhwanazi, after giving the committee his employment background, was questioned about his relationship with Matlala.

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Mkhwanazi is alleged to have been paid by Matlala and provided his personal vehicles with police blue lights.

Evidence leader Bongiwe Mkize said: "What I’m still interested in in your statement is your closeness in relationship, this brotherly relationship as you describe it, and I’m trying to understand what informs it."

Mkhwanazi said their brotherly relationship developed over time after the Ekurhuleni State of the City Address in 2022.

"It was after the state of the city, after April that’s where we started to communicate and discuss other issues, personal things, and all those things.

He said Matlala would also question him about business and where his companies could benefit.