Vusi ‘Cat' Matlala caught with cellphone in cell

News24

09-07-2025

Tenderpreneur and awaiting trialist Vusi 'Cat' Matlala was caught with a cellphone in his cell in Kgosi Mampuru prison over the weekend, according to the correctional services department.
On Wednesday, department spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said the cellphone was discovered during a raid.
'One of the raids conducted over the past weekend led to the discovery of a mobile phone in Mr Matlala's cell. The discovery led to the department taking action, and the remand inmate was then transferred to the facility's C-Max section,' he said.
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has alleged that there was a long-standing relationship between Matlala and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and that Matlala bribed the minister while he was under investigation for multiple scandals.
On Tuesday, News24 also reported that former police minister Bheki Cele stayed in Matlala's luxury Pretoria penthouse, despite Cele's denial of any business relationship with Matlala.
Matlala's company won a R360-million police tender while Cele was minister, and Mkhwanazi's revelations have triggered a national security concern, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to call for restraint.
He is also accused of arranging to have his influencer girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, killed.