New revelations have emerged about how suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) acting head Julius Mkhwanazi allegedly abused his authority to facilitate a fraudulent agreement with controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who faces criminal charges related to tender fraud.
During testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, former head of employee relations at the City of Ekurhuleni, Xolani Nciza, detailed the irregularities surrounding the 2021 agreement between the EMPD and two of Matlala’s companies. Nciza described the deal as fundamentally flawed and unlawful.
According to evidence presented, the arrangement allowed Matlala’s private security vehicles to be fitted with blue lights, a privilege typically reserved for official law enforcement vehicles. In return, Matlala agreed to donate several luxury cars to the City of Ekurhuleni, with the understanding that he would receive protection from both the EMPD and the city.
However, while the vehicles were formally registered as municipal assets, they were reportedly never used by city officials. Instead, Matlala allegedly continued using them for his personal benefit, effectively retaining control despite their registration under the municipality’s name.
Nciza told the commission that the so-called donation served as a cover-up to shield Matlala from law enforcement scrutiny. He said the city derived no tangible benefit from the arrangement, as the vehicles remained in the possession of the donor.
At least five BMWs linked to Matlala’s company, Cat VIP Protection, were found to have been registered under the City of Ekurhuleni. Nciza noted that vehicles of this kind would be worth millions of rand collectively.
He further stressed that the memorandums of agreement drafted and approved by Mkhwanazi were unlawful and that the suspended EMPD head had no authority to enter into such deals on behalf of the municipality.
The inquiry continues to examine the extent of irregular conduct within the EMPD and the broader City of Ekurhuleni administration.
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