Matlala testifies on Maumela business ties

Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, a businessman facing separate corruption and organised crime allegations, testified on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, about his financial and business ties to controversial figure Hangwani Morgan Maumela, a central figure in a major hospital corruption probe. The testimony before the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria detailed a joint venture for medical supply contracts and raised questions about payments involving a late taxi boss.

Matlala told the commission that his relationship with Maumela began around 2015 or 2016 through a shared passion for luxury sports cars, with the pair meeting at a Sandton restaurant. This friendship evolved into a business partnership. Matlala confirmed they pooled money, each contributing about R1 million, into a neutral company to pursue government requests for quotations, specifically for medical consumables from the Gauteng Department of Health. He stated their first such request came in 2018, and the venture generated approximately R5 million over the following three years.

Under questioning from evidence leader Advocate Mahlape Sello, Matlala explained their model involved placing funds with a supplier to secure stock for...