South Africans have recently heard through the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and parliamentary ad hoc committees that the City of Ekurhuleni might have been captured during former Mayor Tania Campbell’s mayoralty.
Recent testimony has brought significant scrutiny to the relationship between the Democratic Alliance (DA) administration in Ekurhuleni and businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi testified that his relationship with Matlala began in 2022, when he was introduced to Mike van Wyk, a Medicare24 director, by EMPD community liaison unit members. It is alleged that Matlala’s company, CAT VIP Protection Services, provided security for then-Mayor Campbell during her 2022 State of the City Address.
The commission also heard that Matlala provided these VIP protection services at no cost to the city, allegedly to gain familiarity and secure future health tenders. While fingers are pointing at Mkhwanazi, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was reportedly signed between the city and Matlala’s firm during Campbell’s tenure, which allegedly allowed private vehicles to be registered with blue lights under the EMPD.
The commission also learnt that Mkhwanazi is linked to a murder case and accused of running a rogue unit allegedly involved in extortion, kidnapping, theft and truck hijackings.
The suspended metro police chief Jabulani Isaac Mapiyeye told the commission that a MoU between the EMPD and Matlala’s CAT VIP was unlawful. The EMPD is accused of failing to implement Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) recommendations of disciplinary action against Mkhwanazi relating to his role in the MoU with Matlala’s security company and the fitting of blue police lights on his vehicles.
Evidence leader, Mahlape Sello SC tried to established Mashazi’s role in two MoUs signed by Mkhwanazi on behalf of the City of Ekurhuleni — one with Medicare 24 and another with CAT Protection and Security, both concluded in October 2021. Mashazi was asked about what she knew about the agreements or what role she played in approving them, Mashazi claimed: “To my knowledge, those two memoranda signed by Mkhwanazi never came to my office. I did not know about them, and I was not aware they were implemented.”
The Ipid report recommended that the city charge Mkhwanazi, noting that the very MoUs he entered into with Matlala were illegal.
Commissioner Sandile Khumalo challenged Mashazi by saying: “You did not act. You either disregarded the report or you chose to comply with it.”
“I acted by referring the report to Corporate and Legal, and to the chief of police [Mapiye], because the chief of police is mandated in terms of the SAPS Act to discipline members. Mkhwanazi, being his subordinate, should have been disciplined by him.
“I was then informed by the HOD: Legal that the document was incomplete, and he advised that no action could be taken on it, suggesting instead that an internal probe be conducted. From my side, I did not participate in the discipline of juniors,” said Mashazi.
The commission also heard that attempts to suspend and discipline Mkhwanazi were allegedly prevented by interference from top management.
Speaking at the commission in November, former Ekurhuleni Municipality head of employee relations, Xolani Nciza said on the night of 23 May 2023, he received a missed WhatsApp call from then subjective city manager Mashazi.
Nciza said when he spoke to Mashazi, she allegedly objected to extending Mkhwanazi’s brief suspension, saying: “You guys hate Julius, leave him alone. We are not going to extend the suspension.”
Tania Campbell’s Response:
Respond to damning allegations against the EMPD made at the commission, Campbell claimed that she was entirely unaware of the MOU or any formal agreement with Matlala, noting that no reports on the matter were served to her.
“No reports were served. Both Matlala and [Julius] Mkhwanazi confirmed this during their Madlanga Commission interviews,” Campbell said.
She has requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to consider authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate the R2-billion revenue shortfall at the city.
Ekurhuleni Capture:
Political analyst and author, Rebone Tau told City Report that, based on what the commission has heard, there is clear municipal capture at the local government level.
“What we have heard at the Madlanga Commission gives us a sense of why there is a crisis of service delivery in local government. What has happened in Ekurhuleni shows that the municipality was captured,” Tau said.
Tau also indicated that the testimony of Mashazi, at the commission confirmed that “there is a serious crisis in the municipality and it will require a decisive leader like Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza to restore good governance.”
Responding to an alleged video of Mashazi circulating on social media reportedly shows her wearing expensive clothing and jewellery, Tau said if the video is factual and true, the local government has a serious problem of officials living beyond their means.
“It is alleged that the items she wore on one occasion cost more than R3 million.”
She explicitly called for annual lifestyle audits for all high-ranking municipal officials and politicians. In her argument, Tau said audits should not just target politicians but must include senior officials, as they are the “backbone of the system” and often remain in power across different political administrations.
Before Campbell spoke to the media, Tau criticized the DA for its relative silence regarding the Madlanga Commission’s findings, noting that the alleged security arrangement between CAT VIP and Campbell occurred under their watch.
“On the other hand, we have Deputy EMPD Chief JuliusMkhwanazi, who was reportedly receiving money from Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala in 2022, all of which happened under the DA administration.
“The DA appears to have nothing to say about its time in Ekurhuleni, which is unusual given that it is usually vocal on matters of corruption.
“We have heard how Matlala’s company allegedly provided security for the then-Mayor Tania Campbell. The DA should address this, as their member faced a serious security breach considering Matlala’s alleged criminal record.”
