From braai to bribery: How a shisanyama defrauded Ekurhuleni of R3.7 million

The Madlanga Commission has uncovered startling details regarding how the wife of alleged crime boss Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala defrauded the Ekurhuleni Municipality of over R3.7 million.

The evidence presented paints a picture of systemic failure and overlooked "red flags" during a 2023 procurement process intended to bolster municipal skills development.

In July 2023, the municipality invited bids from accredited skills development providers to implement a professional qualification and skills programme.

Despite the specialised nature of the contract, the tender was awarded to Buena Vista Learning Academy.

Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson detailed several glaring discrepancies regarding the company's eligibility.

The company was not a registered skills provider and, just days before submitting its bid, was registered as Mokoko Grill, a local shisanyama. The sole director was Tsakane Baloyi (now Matlala), wife of the alleged crime boss.

Perhaps most alarming was the discrepancy between the contracted amount and the final payout.

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Documents before the Commission reveal that while the original tender was valued at only R66,000, the Ekurhuleni Municipality ultimately paid out R3.7 million to Matlala’s company.

Linda Gxasheka, the municipality’s suspended Head of Human Resources, testified that she was not involved in the tender award process. While distancing herself from the financial decisions, she admitted the optics of the deal were indefensible.

"I am sure Finance will have reasons of how subcontracting works. I don’t want me conceding to be the Finance’s position but from the layman’s point of view, all this looks very strange."

The Commission continues to investigate how a catering business managed to bypass municipal safeguards to secure a professional training contract at nearly 60 times its original bid value.