Madlanga Commission: Senona grilled on questionable relationship with 'Cat' Matlala

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Hawks boss, Lesetja Senona, has come under fire from the commissioners at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

On Wednesday, Senona was grilled on his questionable relationship with criminally accused tender don, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Senona attempted to coerce the commission into believing that he was unaware that Matlala was being probed by the Special Investigating Unit and the Hawks in relation to the multi-billion-rand Tembisa Hospital scandal.

But no one was buying his argument.

Senona attempted to argue that he began gradually distancing himself from controversial tender don Matlala, after finding out he was involved in more than meets the eye regarding organised criminal activities.

Senona confirmed to the Madlanga Commission that he sent Matlala a News24 article on 5 March 2025.

The article outlined Matlala’s proximity to the Tembisa Hospital extraction syndicate that was exposed by the slain whistleblower, Babita Deokaran.

But a month later, Senona accompanied Matlala to a meeting with KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi despite claiming he was trying to cut ties with him.

Evidence leader Adila Hassim probed Senona on this point.

Asked Hassim: "You were in a meeting in which you were trying to assist Mr Matlala with his contractual problems. That doesn’t indicate somebody whose withdrawing, wouldn’t you agree?"

Replied Senona: "Commissioners, I deny that I was assisting him. He asked me to accompany him and accompanying someone does not mean you are assisting them.”

Senona continues with his testimony.