Madlanga Commission delays Matlala testimony to Sep 1, 2026

For the second time, the testimony of businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has been postponed, following a lengthy legal argument over his pending criminal trial. The commission, which is investigating allegations of corruption and criminality within the justice system, reluctantly agreed to delay his appearance until September 1, 2026.

Matlala appeared at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, but his legal team immediately applied for a postponement. His lawyer, Advocate Annelene van den Heever, argued that Matlala’s constitutional right to a fair trial would be compromised if he testified just days before the start of his criminal proceedings. Matlala is scheduled to stand trial in the Johannesburg High Court beginning July 20, alongside four co-accused, facing multiple serious charges including 11 counts of attempted murder related to alleged plots against his former partner, a taxi boss, and a music producer.

Van den Heever contended that without access to records from a recently abandoned plea-and-sentence agreement in a separate fraud and corruption case, she could not properly advise her...