
Matlala court case: ‘We will be watching this one closely' says MK party
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party says it will be keeping a close eye on the legal proceedings against controversial businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala.
Matlala is in the spotlight following explosive revelations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, this week.
Mkhwanazi claimed that Matlala is part of a plot that led to the disbanding of the Political Killings Task Team.
It is alleged that Matlala, through businessman Brown Mogotsi, has been able to influence the Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, into doing his bidding.
The MK party was protesting outside the Alexandra Magistrate's Court on Friday, where Matlala and his co-accused appeared in connection with the attempted murder of actress Tebogo Thobejane.
He reportedly appeared under heavy police guard.
'Mr Matlala faces very serious cases, and we have just had a spate of botched cases by the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority], so we will be watching this one closely', he said.
The wheels of justice must move on Matlala
Tau said ordinary South Africans are victims of a network of corruption that allegedly involves prosecutors, police, judges, and politicians in parliament.
'So, as members of the MK party led by the caucus leader of our legislature caucus, we are here to say to our courts that we are calling for justice for the victims of the many crimes of those who believe that they can do criminality with impunity.
'We believe that Mr Matlala must be treated like any other criminal. We also believe that a thorough investigation must be done so that we do not have botched cases.
'The people of South Africa find themselves in a space where no one fights for them. They (NPA) must go into this without fear or favour,' he said.
ALSO READ: Charges laid against Mchunu as pressure mounts on Ramaphosa to act amid national security concerns
Matlala's alleged plot to kill Thobejane
It is still not clear why Matlala allegedly ordered a hit on Thobejane. However, it has been reported that the two are former lovers.
Thobejane was shot in the foot and survived the hit.
This incident occurred in 2023.
This matter was postponed to allow the NPA to consolidate Matlala's other cases.
He was arrested in May this year and has been held at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre.
NOW READ: Senzo Mchunu investigation will take longer to finalise, says Public Protector

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The South African
36 minutes ago
- The South African
Zuma's MK Party demands Ramaphosa quit by Friday
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has given President Cyril Ramaphosa until 9:00 on Friday, 18 July, to resign as head of state. The party said it has formally delivered a letter of demand asking Ramaphosa to resign in honour of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding Commander-in-Chief of uMkhonto weSizwe. MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said that should Ramaphosa fail to heed this call, the party will pursue a range of lawful and peaceful actions, including constitutional litigation, a motion of no confidence in Parliament, and rolling mass action nationwide. Ndhlela said these steps reflect the will of the people, who, through democratic means, delivered a decisive electoral verdict against the African National Congress (ANC) under Ramaphosa's leadership. 'It is deeply regrettable that, despite the clear message from the electorate, the will of the people has been undermined by opportunistic political alliances. The so-called Government of National Unity (GNU), formed by the DA, Freedom Front Plus, and their collaborators, has effectively reinstalled the very ANC that South Africans voted out. This betrayal has sparked widespread public outrage and represents a direct affront to democratic accountability,' he said. Further, Ndhlela said the recent explosive revelations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi further expose the GNU as a deeply compromised arrangement, more aligned with criminality than with the constitutional mandate to serve the people. The Jacob Zuma-led party views the GNU as the most dangerous political fraud in post-apartheid South Africa, enabling the continued theft of land, resources, and dignity. 'The MK Party calls on Cyril Ramaphosa and the GNU to respect the voice of the people before irreparable damage is done to South Africa's democratic institutions. The time for accountability and ethical leadership is now.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.


The Citizen
36 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Leave and a commission don't make Mchunu immune from prosecution, parliament hears
Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on leave over the weekend, but parliament's legal advisor said such a decision did not grant him immunity. He may be placed on special leave, but Police Minister Senzo Mchunu must still answer to corruption allegations against him, argue parliament's legal advisors and MPs. On Wednesday, the portfolio committees on police, justice and constitutional development met to discuss their approach to explosive allegations made by Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner alleged corruption, criminal collusion, cover-ups, and misconduct by police top brass, including Mchunu. Speaker of parliament, Thoko Didiza, rejected a request for a parliamentary debate on the claims and instead requested that committees investigate them. Mchunu 'does not have legal immunity' Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on leave over the weekend, but parliament's legal advisor, Advocate Andile Tetyana, said such a decision did not grant Mchunu immunity. 'Minister Mchunu is not clothed with legal immunity by virtue of him being on special leave. We know for a fact now that he will be a material witness in the work of the commission, and should criminal conduct be found on his part, he will be charged and prosecuted,' he told parliament on Wednesday. This was seconded by MK party MP Mzwanele Manyi. 'We must be clear that the fact that there is a judicial commission of inquiry does not insulate people from being arrested tomorrow. People are not on holiday now. 'The committee must make it clear that Mkhwanazi must arrest people tomorrow, or the next day. We must supervise what he is doing. He must give us regular reports so we can give him all the support he needs.' Parliament's options after Mkhwanazi allegations They were speaking as the portfolio committees on police, justice and constitutional development met to discuss their approach to the allegations made by Mkhwanazi. Tetyana said parliament has three options to deal with the claims made by the provincial commissioner. He said the first option is appointing a judicial commission of inquiry, the second is establishing an ad hoc committee to investigate the claims, and the third is to have parliamentary committees work together to come up with their own findings. 'The committees of parliament in our view can deal with low-hanging fruit [issues],' Tetyana said while suggesting the interviewing of high-profile police officials implicated by Mkhwanazi. A judicial commission of inquiry was formed by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday. The commission will be led by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga and will provide preliminary reports at three and six months. Scepticism about commissions and political will Advocate Tetyana acknowledged that this committee may be met with mistrust because South Africans have lost faith in commissions of inquiry. 'I am not saying the commission is invalid, all I am saying is that there is scepticism about commissions of inquiry in general, and that is based on what people will say, that there have been commissions in the past and nothing has happened,' he said. ALSO READ: DA brands Ramaphosa's decision to suspend Mchunu an illusion of reform' Tetyana said the problem with commissions is that if there is no political will to implement their findings, it may delegitimise the entire process. 'If there is no political will, then even the work of the commission will amount to nothing,' he said. Manyi said he is concerned that the recommendations of this inquiry will not be implemented. 'The bottom line is that we have people that are dying every day, we are investing time and energy in an institution that cannot find a person guilty or innocent, that cannot ascribe liability. I am struggling to understand why we are doing this,' he said. He said parliament should have strict oversight over the judicial inquiry. 'We are dealing with rogueness at all levels, so the role of parliament must be strong.' Time frames ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip said he is concerned about the lack of urgency in the commission of inquiry. 'There is a judicial commission of inquiry that is taking shape, it will take shape over the next six to 12 months, which is ridiculous. 'We cannot wait 12 months while people die on the streets and more people are helping themselves through nepotism and corruption in the police services,' he said. Considering the arguments, there was an overwhelming view that an ad hoc committee should be established. However, the two committees will meet next week to chart a way forward. NOW READ: DA reveals Mchunu is now under criminal investigation

The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
SA's youth unemployment crisis: Can digital skills unlock their future?
A year into South Africa's national government of unity (GNU), the country's young people remain trapped at the precipice of despair. The promise of job opportunities and pathways for entrepreneurship continues to diminish, especially in a world increasingly led by a youthful population whose inventive thinking often conflicts with the traditional methods of those in power. This disconnection is not merely an abstract idea; it is a tangible reality for millions, showing as a deep sense of exclusion and a suppression of potential. The grim reality of South Africa's youth unemployment crisis is stark and well-documented. Statistics SA's Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of this year paints a sobering picture: young people aged 15-24 face a staggering unemployment rate of 62.4%, while those aged 25-34 contend with 40.4%. These are not just numbers; they represent a generation sidelined, their energy and creativity unharnessed. With 20 million South Africans aged between 15 and 34, this demographic forms the largest segment of our population. This demographic dividend, a potential driver of economic growth and social progress, is instead becoming a source of national concern. This alarming reality requires urgent and decisive action, moving beyond mere discussion to implement tangible and impactful measures across all sectors of society. Our collective response must begin at home, extend through our communities, reshape our educational institutions, and energise our civil, public, and private sectors. The goal should be to nurture an active, future-oriented population, equipped to become tomorrow's leaders and innovators. Importantly, this quest for solutions must fully harness the transformative potential of technology. The rapid rise of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), for example, should not be viewed with concern but as a significant opportunity. It prompts us to reconsider how we can utilise this technology to empower young people, unlock entrepreneurial talent, and boost economic development. It is time to move past the negativity rooted in a failure to recognise opportunities and instead embrace the immense potential within this digital frontier. At the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), strategically located in one of Gauteng's most influential industrial regions, we have long recognised this necessity. Our commitment goes beyond traditional academic teaching to proactive engagement with the digital future. Through initiatives like our Strategy 2033+, we focus on attracting and nurturing students with exceptional talent and potential, equipping them with the digital skills essential for a rapidly changing job market. Our recent community service project, where our Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences assisted Suncrest High School's 2025 Grade 12 students with online applications, showcases our commitment to closing the digital gap and promoting a culture of access and opportunity from the grassroots. The Gauteng government's commendable focus on the township economy has achieved significant progress in supporting existing businesses. Nonetheless, our efforts must also shift towards empowering young people in these communities who aspire to start their own ventures, developing solutions and products tailored to local needs. This requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, particularly financial institutions. They must explore innovative, concessional financing models that recognise the unique challenges and vast potential of youth-led township enterprises. We cannot continue to champion the township economy while failing to equip its most dynamic segment – our youth – with the necessary skills and financial lifelines. This year's UNESCO theme, 'Youth empowerment through AI and digital skills,' resonates profoundly with South Africa's challenges and aspirations. As a global community, we are collectively seeking solutions that improve young people's skills for both employment and entrepreneurship. UNESCO and other UN agencies have consistently supported the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To truly accomplish these goals, we must put our solutions at the centre of the ingenuity and motivation of our young people, recognising them not merely as beneficiaries but as co-creators of our future. Furthermore, the latest World Economic Forum's World of Work report underscores that 'technological change, geoeconomic fragmentation, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts and the green transition – individually and in combination – are among the major drivers expected to shape and transform the global labour market by 2030.' While these are global forces, South Africa has a unique opportunity to lead in adapting and innovating. We can and must surpass the mediocre leadership that has often characterised our response to the challenges faced by our young people. This moment calls for visionary, agile, and collaborative leadership that recognises the urgency of digital transformation. At VUT, our concern about the high rate of youth unemployment runs deep. However, concern alone is not enough. We are committed to rolling up our sleeves and taking action that goes beyond mere talk. This commitment is reflected in concrete steps that clearly show our determination to make a difference. Skills development, especially in digital and AI skills, provides a strong pathway to solutions. Learning institutions are no longer static brick-and-mortar places; they are active partners in national growth, evolving to effectively address today's complex challenges and to produce graduates capable of leading in the digital era. This demands closer collaboration between academia, industry, and government to jointly create curricula, support innovation hubs, and enable smooth transitions from education to employment or entrepreneurship. The path ahead will be challenging. It demands courage, ingenuity, and most importantly, readiness to listen to young people's. The time for action is now. Professor Khehla Ndlovu is the Vice Chancellor of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT)