Sergeant Testifies Matlala Planned Mashatile Meeting

Sergeant Fannie Nkosi testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday that businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala urgently requested his credit card in late 2024 because he planned to meet Deputy President Paul Mashatile, followed by a discussion with suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya. The testimony, delivered during Nkosi's eighth day on the stand in Johannesburg, marks the first public link between Mashatile and Matlala, an alleged leader of the so-called Big Five Cartel accused of involvement in organized crime.

Nkosi, a Gauteng organized crime sergeant, recounted that Matlala had left his FNB Luxor credit card inside a jet ski stored at Hartbeespoort Dam. In November 2024, Matlala called Nkosi multiple times seeking the card, explaining the need to use it for the impending meetings. "He said Matlala had planned to use the bank card that day," Nkosi told the commission, adding that he photographed the card and sent the image to Matlala but could not confirm its intended purpose, such as payment to Mashatile. Nkosi emphasized he viewed Matlala as a legitimate businessman in the security industry and hospital projects,...