By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Police minister Senzo Mchunu has denied any ties with controversial businessman, Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, who was awarded a R360m police tender.
Mchunu was reacting to allegations levelled by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused him of colluding with Matlala, who received the large tender from the SAPS and which was cancelled in May, despite Matlala’s role in corruption at Tembisa Hospital in Gauteng.
On Wednesday morning, Mchunu said he has never communicated with Matlala, or received anything from the businessman.
“In response to the recent allegations made by provincial commissioner Mkhwanazi, and while respecting the president’s call for calm, the Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu feels it is important to clarify the following: the minister has never met Mr Matlala, has never spoken to him, nor has the minister ever requested or received anything from him,”Mchunu’s spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi insisted.
However, his spokesperson said Mchunu initiated a review of the SAPS tender awarded to Brown Mogotsi when suspicions of possible wrongdoing surfaced.
“It was the same tender which has since been terminated,” said Mogotsi.
“Furthermore, while the minister knows and has met Mr Brown Mogotsi, he is just a comrade and not an associate of the minister.
“The minister has never requested or received anything from him,” said the police ministry.
However previously Mchunu told Parliment that he does not to know an individual named Mogotsi.
Mkhwanazi said the recent arrest of Matlala – on attempted murder charges – led police to uncovering – through cellphone analysis – a web of alleged corruption involving the service provider Matlala, Brown Mogotsi and the minister.
As the crisis continues at the top of the SAPS, National Police Commisioner Fannie Masemola has assured the public that policing operations are continuing unabated and will not be impacted.
President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his grave concern, calling on all parties to exercise discipline and restraint.
Meanwhile it has emerged former minister Bheki Cele stayed in a luxury penthouse suite owned by controversial Matlala just days before his company was awarded a R360 million SAPS health services tender.
Only a week after Cele stepped down, SAPS confirmed that Matlala’;s company had been granted a contract. The deal had been under evaluation during Cele’s time in office, sparking concerns about conflicts of interest and potential behind-the-scenes influence.
Matlala, who is facing attempted murder charges, has been linked to multiple corruption investigations and is now at the centre of a growing scandal shaking South Africa’s law enforcement institutions.