…as he petitions Madlanga Commission to grill PM over Matlala links
Mohloai Mpesi
OPPOSITION firebrand Machesetsa Mofomobe has petitioned South Africa’s Madlanga Commission of Inquiry to seek evidence from Prime Minister Sam Matekane over his alleged links to controversial South African businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
The move follows explosive testimony by Mr Matlala before the commission, during which he told the inquiry he had been negotiating to provide VIP protection services to the Prime Minister of Lesotho.
The commission, formally known as the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, was established by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in July 2025 and is chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. It followed allegations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that criminal syndicates had infiltrated the police service, the prosecuting authority and other state institutions in collusion with senior politicians. Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi first appeared before the commission in September 2025.
Mr Matlala, who is separately facing several criminal charges in South Africa – including attempted murder, tender corruption and illegal possession of firearms – has emerged as one of the country’s most prominent alleged crime bosses, accused of infiltrating senior ranks of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to aid his activities. He is a key witness in the inquiry over his company’s controversial R228 million police healthcare tender, since cancelled amid corruption allegations, and has also been linked to cartels accused of stealing billions of rand from South African hospitals.
Testifying on Wednesday under intense cross-examination by evidence leader Advocate Adila Hassim SC, Mr Matlala said he had registered a security company in Lesotho to provide VIP protection to the Prime Minister and was negotiating the proposed arrangement.
Advocate Hassim referred him to evidence previously given by Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi concerning General Lesetja Senona, the provincial head of the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal, who was reported to have shown interest in Mr Matlala’s security company and to have considered retiring from the South African Police Service (SAPS) to join it.
“There is one other issue that arose again in relation to the evidence by General Mkhwanazi, where he said that General Senona told him that there was interest that you and General Senona had in a project in Lesotho that had to do with security services, and that he was interested in taking up a position in this project, in your company, and that he was considering even resigning from SAPS to take up this position. Do you know about this? What’s your comment on it?” Advocate Hassim asked.
“Yes, I do know about it,” Mr Matlala answered, confirming the proposed arrangement involved providing protection to the Prime Minister through his VIP protection company.
“It was… I won’t say presidential protection because it’s a Prime Minister in Lesotho. I have registered a company in Lesotho for VIP protection for the Prime Minister,” he said. “I was in negotiations with them to offer security services for the Prime Minister in Lesotho, same as presidential protection, but because they have a Prime Minister that side. That’s when General Senona wanted to also come on board.”
According to Lesotho’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development, Mr Matlala’s Cat VIP Lesotho was registered on 2 June 2023, with local shareholders including Teboho Ramochele, Mokhutsoane Tesele and Kananelo Maliehe.
Mofomobe writes to commission
Mr Mofomobe has, since last year, intensified his questioning of Mr Matekane’s alleged relationship with Mr Matlala. He wrote to the Madlanga Commission on Friday, asking it to investigate whether Mr Matlala’s activities in Lesotho could be connected to matters falling within its mandate.
The letter follows an earlier petition Mr Mofomobe lodged with Clerk of the National Assembly Fine Maema (KC) on 31 July 2025, seeking to question Mr Matekane under Standing Order 25 on whether he had any relationship with Mr Matlala, whether the businessman attended his inauguration as an invited VIP guest, and whether Mr Matekane had visited him at his residence in Gauteng. Those questions have yet to be answered.
Mr Mofomobe, who has led the Basotho National Party since 2021 and previously served as deputy minister of home affairs and deputy minister of foreign affairs, has emerged as one of government’s most outspoken critics, particularly on Lesotho-South Africa relations and the welfare of Basotho nationals.
In his letter to the commission, titled “Re: Request for consideration of Cat VIP/Lesotho allegations arising from the testimony of Mr Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala,” Mr Mofomobe asked the inquiry to pursue further evidence from Mr Matekane.
“I write in my capacity as a Member of Parliament and Leader of the Basotho National Party (BNP) concerning matters arising from the testimony of Mr Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala before the Commission,” he wrote. “During his testimony, Mr Matlala reportedly stated that he had registered a security company in Lesotho, which was intended to provide VIP security services to the Prime Minister of Lesotho. He further indicated that he had been engaging with authorities in Lesotho regarding the proposed operations of the company. Mr Matlala also reportedly had a relationship with the Prime Minister of Lesotho and was invited to his inauguration.”
Mr Mofomobe urged the commission to determine whether the allegations disclosed any links to matters within its terms of reference.
“I respectfully request that the Commission consider whether these allegations disclose any connection to matters falling within its Terms of Reference, particularly South African criminality, corruption, organised crime, law enforcement, intelligence or political interference,” he wrote, asking the commission to establish whether Mr Matlala’s Lesotho-registered company involved South African individuals or institutions.
“My concern is not that the Commission should undertake a separate investigation into the Government or Prime Minister of Lesotho. Rather, I respectfully ask the Commission to establish whether Mr Matlala’s activities and relationships in Lesotho form part of a wider network or set of activities connected to matters being investigated by the Commission in South Africa,” he said.
Mr Mofomobe said the commission could investigate whether Mr Matlala’s company involved South African individuals, companies, security personnel or officials, and whether South African law enforcement, intelligence or security structures knew of or participated in the proposed arrangement. He further asked whether Mr Matlala’s dealings with Mr Matekane bore any relevance to the commission’s mandate, and whether others linked to the Lesotho company could assist its investigation — urging the commission, “if considered necessary and appropriate,” to obtain evidence from Mr Matekane himself.
“Should the Commission establish such a nexus, I respectfully request that it consider obtaining evidence from the persons who may be able to clarify those dealings, including, if considered necessary and appropriate, the Prime Minister of Lesotho,” he wrote.
He was careful, however, to stop short of alleging wrongdoing. “I emphasise that I do not suggest that Mr Matlala’s allegations, on their own, constitute proof of wrongdoing by the Prime Minister or any other person. I am simply requesting that a potentially relevant evidential trail not be overlooked. I trust that the Commission will give this matter the consideration it deserves in the interests of accountability, transparency and the rule of law,” he said.
Mr Matekane emphatically denied any links to Mr Matlala in a statement issued last week. His office said the Prime Minister has never met or done business with him and has never authorised any arrangement involving him.