Malema grills Mchunu on why he accepted an affidavit from 'C-Max prisoner' and 'dubious character Cat Matlala'

EFF leader Julius Malema grilled suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on Tuesday on why he had accepted an affidavit from attempted murder accused tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, while he sits in a C-Max prison.

Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee is investigating allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of political interference in the police.

"There are all these allegations about Matlala, yet you still go and ask him for an affidavit. You are looking for an affidavit from an unethical man who is in prison," Malema said in reference to Matlala, who faces allegations that he masterminded the attempted murder of his ex-lover.

Mchunu said the affidavit from Matlala denied any dubious dealings with him, with Mchunu saying Mkhwanazi's false allegations must be investigated.

Mchunu said he had expressed his wish to his lawyers that such an affidavit would help distance himself from Matlala.

Mkhwanazi, has accused Mchunu of interfering with police investigations, protecting criminal syndicates, and lying about his association with controversial figures such as Brown Mogotsi and alleged crime boss Matlala.

“The lawyers then pursued my wish, calling Matlala’s lawyers and this is the result. I don’t think you should stretch this thing any further other than it is,” an exasperated Mchunu said.

However, Malema asked how Matlala knew his wishes when a letter from Matlala’s lawyers did not acknowledge his request.

“How does Matlala know the minister has wishes?” he asked.

Malema found it strange that 'society had problem with this chap' but Mchunu wanted to be associated with him.

He accused Mchunu of providing three different answers on how his lawyers obtained an affidavit from Matlala, while the alleged crime kingpin is in prison.

"You said your lawyers went without your instruction, then you said you had instructed them and then you say that Matlala wrote to your lawyers, uninvited."

"Which answer should stand here...it's becoming worse because you gave three answers," Malema said.

Malema said the country was troubled by Mchunu's association with Matlala.

"Ministers have access to dangerous criminals even if they are behind bars in a maximum security prison."

In response, Mchunu said he did not want to be associated with Matlala.

Earlier, Mchunu responded to Malema on how he had issued a directive on December 31, 2024, instructing national police commissioner Fannie Masemola to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and on the  freezing of vacancies in the Crime Intelligence Unit.

Malema asked why this decision was taken over the festive season and how his decision helped to resolve the problem of crime in the country.

In his response, Mchunu said while it was the festive season, the posts were to be discussed at their meeting at the beginning of the New Year.

He said he had wanted them to begin the year with purpose on issues he had identified.

“These matters were troubling a lot of people and the country as a whole

But, Malema said his decision was very suspicious.

 “It does not make any business sense,” said Malema.

Mchunu said he knew his decision was to be conveyed at a meeting in the new year.

“I wanted all of us to have it so that at the beginning of the year (we would be able to) say there is a directive. There is nothing untoward in a minister writing a directive on the 31st. It could have been something different altogether from this one.”

He again insisted that he had wanted the police management to focus on the matters he had raised in the directives during the new year.

“I was quite troubled by this (the PKTT) as I am right now,” said the minister.

Earlier, Mchunu apologised for making an undertaking to submit a recording to the parliamentary inquiry showing that Mkhwanazi had threatened him.

“I believe I made an honest mistake. I was under the impression that part of what I spoke about was actually there part of it was not here.

“I made a follow up after making an undertaking and it became clear the recording has not started when the part (where Mkhwanazi allegedly threatened him) was discussed. I made that mistake and I apologise,” he said.

On Friday, Mchunu alleged that Mkhwanazi made threats in conversations with his chief of staff Cedrick Nkabinde that if he went ahead to disband the PKTT there will be “fight back” on January 2 after the issued his letter of directives on 31 December 2024.

He had asked that recording be played, but the part wherein Mkhwanazi allegedly makes “fight back” threat could not be found.

Mchunu was then asked to provide the recording when the inquiry resumed today, but Ad Hoc Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane said that inquiries made with Mchunu’s legal team had not been positive.

“We are to proceed today without that extract,” he said in the morning.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za