Matlala denies drug cartel links, but confirms close friend involved with narcotics

Controversial businessman and alleged crime kingpin, Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, has denied having any links to drug cartels.

This is despite him confirming that his close friend, Jerry Boshoga, who was kidnapped for ransom over a year ago, was involved in narcotics and drug manufacturing.

READ: Matlala claims Mkhwanazi threatened to take him out if Masemola’s life was in danger

Matlala was giving evidence for a second day before the ad hoc committee probing police corruption at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria on Thursday.

The ad hoc committee is meeting at the facility to accommodate Matlala, who is awaiting trial for attempted murder.

Matlala’s evidence on Thursday morning shifted from tenders and his alleged payments to former Minister Bheki Cele to his links to drug cartels.

Matlala was also questioned by evidence leader Norman Arendse about the kidnapping of JerryBoshoga, who, according to Matlala, was kidnapped while transporting drugs in Centurion, Pretoria.

"You don’t have any relationship with narcotics or drugs, or drug dealers, or people who deal in narcotics, despite a very good friend of yours being, you say, involved?" Arendse asked.

Matlala denied any drug connections, adding that he didn't judge his friends who were drug dealers.

"I’m not okay with it, but I wouldn’t judge him (Boshoga)."

Matlala also confirmed that he loaned Boshoga R1 million, but said this was for his cattle farming business and not for drugs.