Madlanga Commission: Senona denies assisting 'Cat' Matlala to secure R360m SAPS tender

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Hawks boss Lesetja Senona has been called out for displaying arrogance and interjecting during his testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday.

Senona confirmed he had close links to the criminally accused tender tycoon, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, and that he has known him for at least seven years.

He further alleged accompanying Matlala to meet with KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi at a plush apartment in Umhlanga, north of Durban.

Senona said while he shares a brotherly bond with Matlala, a man accused of numerous attempted murder, fraud and money laundering charges, he never assisted him with his South African Police Service (SAPS) contract.

Matlala was awarded a R360 million, three-year SAPS health services contract in June 2024, something Senona said he had nothing to do with.

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“I deny allegations that I have assisted Mr Matlala in securing the Medicare24 tender.”

Early last year, Matlala began having issues with payment orders, as his contract came under investigation.

A meeting, allegedly arranged by former Police Minister Bheki Cele in April last year, a month before Matlala was arrested - was scheduled with Mkhwanazi.

Madlanga co-commissioner, advocate Sesi Baloyi, slammed Senona about accompanying Matlala to the meeting

“This was not a business meeting; you took your friend to meet with general Mkhwanazi to help him solve his personal problem that has nothing to do with your duties as the KZN head of the Hawks.”

Senona is expected to return to the commission at a later stage to finalise his testimony.