Brown Mogotsi–Vusi "Cat" Matlala WhatsApp Conversations Expose Web of Political Deals, Favors, and Task Team Disbandment Claims
By NewsInSA
WhatsApp messages between Brown Mogotsi and Vusi "Cat" Matlala reveal political financing, tender protection, and shocking claims of SAPS task team disbandment, raising major governance concerns before the Madlanga Commission.
Pretoria - The Madlanga Commission has been presented with explosive evidence detailing conversations between businessman Brown Mogotsi and Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala, revealing a troubling mix of political financing, alleged manipulation of policing structures, and personal favors.
Tender Protection, IPID Interference, and Political Funding
Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo testified that six key themes emerged from the WhatsApp threads:
- Tender protection
- Use of IPID insiders to influence investigations
- Discussions about disbanding task teams
- Financial interventions to sway political outcomes
- Sponsorship of flights and accommodation
- Membership payments for political organizations
Screenshots presented to the Commission show Mogotsi pressing Matlala for money to cover political events, including a gala dinner. In one message, Mogotsi warned:
“It is not nice to be getting so much without doing anything in return. Even 15k will cover until Sunday.”
Matlala pushed back, requesting a face-to-face meeting, saying he preferred to dictate “how things must be done” as promised results were not materializing.
Disbandment of Task Team: Mogotsi’s Bold Claim
One of the most damning revelations came from Mogotsi’s messages to Matlala on 1 January 2025, where he assured him:
“The Task Team that came to your house and harassed you has been dissolved/disbanded.”
This raised alarm at the Commission, suggesting that Mogotsi had inside knowledge of operational policing decisions. Whether these claims were genuine or exaggerated attempts to reassure Matlala remains unclear, but their appearance in official testimony has deepened scrutiny of alleged political interference.
Gratitude and Personal Exchanges
Another set of chats revealed Mogotsi repeatedly reminding Matlala of his financial contributions, while Matlala acknowledged his "gratitude" but expressed frustration at unmet expectations. These exchanges paint a picture of a transactional relationship where money, political access, and influence were tightly interwoven.
Implications for Governance and Policing
The narrative emerging from these conversations suggests a dangerous overlap between business interests, political power struggles, and law enforcement manipulation. With references to IPID insiders, membership funding for political organizations, and direct assurances about policing units being disbanded, the Commission is faced with evidence that could reshape understanding of how influence was wielded behind the scenes.
While Lieutenant-General Khumalo was cautious not to draw direct conclusions, the material presented raises serious questions about accountability, governance, and the independence of policing structures in South Africa.
The testimony is ongoing, but the Mogotsi–Matlala revelations are fast becoming one of the Commission’s most explosive threads.