Matlala plotted to have close associate appointed as national Police Commissioner: Mkhwanazi

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has revealed that alleged underworld kingpin Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala was plotting to have one of his close associates appointed as the national police commissioner.

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria on Thursday, Mkhwanazi presented text messages between Matlala and one of his business associates.

ALSO READ: Mkhwanazi says influence of alleged underworld boss Matlala in law enforcement agencies should not be downplayed

Matlala is among those accused of infiltrating the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Mkhwanazi said messages retrieved from Matlala’s cellphone showed that he was pushing for the arrest and removal of National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola.

“The response from Matlala says ‘my person is going to be a national commissioner now’. Mr Van Vyk [his business associate] didn’t understand where Matlala was going with this, but Matlala said ‘it’s a good thing because my personal is going to be a national commissioner now’.”

Mkhwanazi said this shows the extent to which Matlala wanted to infiltrate the police service.

“We are not blaming Mr Van Wyl of anything but are just displaying the levels that Mr Matlala has an interest of what’s happening in the police that he even communicates with his business partners.”

Matlala is currently behind bars for the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend and actress Tebogo Thobejane.

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