Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala Linked to Vehicle Finance Scam and Alleged Murder-for-Hire Syndicate

Forensic investigator Chad Thomas of IRS Forensic Investigations has revealed explosive new findings linking controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to a fraudulent vehicle finance scheme tied to organized crime and alleged murder-for-hire operations.

The revelations come as scrutiny intensifies around the 2023 assassinations of well-known liquidators Cloete and Thomas Murray, father and son, whose killings shook South Africa’s financial and legal sectors.

READ: Vusi "Cat" Matlala’s Bail Bid Stalls Over Offshore Wealth and Fake ID Allegations

A flawed investigation into the Murray murders

According to a News24 probe, investigators may have been focusing on the wrong vehicle in the Murray case. A Ford Ranger linked to a R125 million vehicle finance scam was seized by police, but it did not match the bakkie caught on CCTV near the crime scene.

Disturbingly, evidence found in the Ranger was handed over to authorities only months later, raising questions about possible lapses in the investigation. Moreover, a key person of interest who was seen near the Murrays before their deaths has reportedly not been questioned—nearly two years after the murders.

The “Right to Own” scheme and Matlala’s alleged role

Chad Thomas explained that syndicates are exploiting fraudulent vehicle finance schemes to secure untraceable cars for criminal activities, including assassinations. Vehicles obtained through such schemes can be stripped, resold, or smuggled across borders without detection.

One such scheme, “Right to Own,” has now been directly linked to Matlala, who is already facing separate investigations into organized crime. He is due back in court on 17 September to hear a decision on his bail application.

Murder-for-hire networks under pressure

For years, investigations into assassinations have focused largely on the trigger men—the individuals pulling the trigger—while those who ordered and financed hits remained untouchable.

But Thomas said that has begun to change. Recent arrests, including that of Matlala, suggest police are starting to target facilitators and kingpins, not just hitmen. This shift could alter the entire landscape of South Africa’s fight against contract killings.

“Previously, the men pulling the trigger kept silent, protecting those higher up. But with these arrests, we’re finally seeing accountability reach the top,” Thomas said.

The wider threat to whistleblowers and investigators

The Murray killings are part of a broader pattern of violence targeting whistleblowers, insolvency practitioners, investigators, and legal professionals across South Africa.

From the assassination of whistleblower Babita Deokaran in 2021 to recent high-profile murders of attorneys and financial watchdogs, Thomas warned that a dangerous nexus has formed between criminal syndicates, politicians, and business figures.

He called for stronger whistleblower protections, more resources for specialized police units, and the urgent establishment of a proposed Anti-Corruption Commission.

“Until we see high-profile takedowns of those who order these crimes, corruption and assassinations will continue to thrive,” Thomas cautioned.

READ: Cat Matlala's Private Cars Fitted with Municipal Blue Lights in Corruption Scandal

A test for South Africa’s justice system

As Matlala prepares to return to court, the case highlights both the progress and the challenges facing South Africa’s justice system. While law enforcement is showing signs of pursuing the masterminds behind organized crime, the safety of whistleblowers and investigators remains a critical concern.

The outcome of this case, along with the broader fight against murder-for-hire syndicates, may prove pivotal in restoring public trust in the country’s institutions.