Vusimuzi Matlala Says R500,000 Payment to Shadrack Sibiya Was for a Wedding

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has acknowledged paying former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya R500,000, but told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry the money was intended as a contribution to Sibiya’s son’s wedding in North West. Matlala denied that the payment was a bribe or linked to any improper arrangement. His account marked a sharp change from his testimony the previous day. On Monday, Matlala said he had given Sibiya only R50,000, which he described as help with travel expenses for the SAPS Excellence Awards in KwaZulu-Natal. He also questioned the reliability of earlier statements, saying he had been unwell at the time. When questioned again on Tuesday, Matlala confirmed the larger payment. He said he did not wish to disclose too much about it, but maintained that it was “not for another thing”. He rejected suggestions that the R500,000 was intended to secure the R228 million SAPS health services tender awarded to Medicare24, his company. The hearing also revisited the separate R50,000 payment. Matlala disputed claims that it was delivered as a bribe at Sibiya’s office, insisting it was for travel costs. His answers drew a rebuke from Commissioner Baloyi, who accused him of being reluctant to respond and wasting the commission’s time. Matlala further challenged a typed witness statement bearing his signature, alleging that it contained fabricated material. He claimed that Dylan Perumal, a chief investigator with the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, had inserted the bribery allegation. Matlala also alleged investigators took him to the Sheraton Pretoria Hotel and a McDonald’s rather than returning him to prison while they prepared the statement, and said they offered witness protection for his family if he implicated senior police officials. He also accused Sibiya of threatening his wife, Tsakani, over Matlala’s planned disclosures to Parliament’s ad hoc committee. These remain Matlala’s claims as reported during the commission proceedings; he has denied that the wedding contribution was connected to the police tender.