Parly police inquiry: Matlala questions authenticity of messages purportedly from his devices

Corruption-accused Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala is questioning the authenticity of text messages purportedly from his devices and considered by Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating police corruption.

In a lawyer’s letter to the committee, Matlala is demanding that the committee provides the details of how and from whom it obtained the information.

His lawyer is also requesting the committee to provide transcripts of all witness testimony given about Matlala.

Matlala appeared before Parliament at a special sitting held at the Kgosi Mampuru Prison last November, where he was being detained at the time.

Matlala’s lawyer said the ad hoc committee used information purportedly retrieved from his client’s personal devices and from correspondence either sent from or to him via WhatsApp.

TIMELINE: Controversial businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala in court

But after having already given testimony on their contents, Matlala is now questioning how the committee obtained this evidence.

His lawyer has sent Parliament a slew of questions about the extraction process.

But Parliament legal advisor Andile Tetyana said Matlala signed a consent form for the extraction of information by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in May 2025, and that he voluntarily discussed the contents during his testimony before the committee.

“The point we are making is that Mr Matlala’s legal representatives have their facts crossed, and they are barking up the wrong tree.”

In further correspondence to the committee, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said he will give members of Parliament (MPs) access to a classified report dealing with the acquisition of properties by police Crime Intelligence and matters related to security vetting for a limited period.