- Matlala sat at the main table with corruption-accused Edwin Sodi and ANC officials just weeks before a failed hit on Tebogo Thobejane.
- The party adds to the claims by police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that Matlala is linked to powerful politicians.
Top African National Congress figures rubbed shoulders with alleged crime boss Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala at a flashy birthday bash for corruption-accused businessman Edwin Sodi – just weeks before Matlala was arrested for attempted murder.
The 50th birthday celebration, held at Sodi’s R85-million Bryanston mansion on 24 September 2023, was a display of wealth, attended by some of the ANC’s most influential players.
News24 revealed that some of the guests were Gauteng MEC for finance and economic development Lebogang Maile, ANC national executive committee member Pule Mabe, political adviser Keith Khoza, and former provincial secretary TK Nciza.
Footage from the night shows Mabe seated next to Matlala, while Matlala and his wife Tsakani were placed at Sodi’s main table.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile, whose close connections to Sodi and several of the attendees are well-documented, was invited but did not attend.
Matlala is currently behind bars for a failed hit on his former lover, actress Tebogo Thobejane. Police say the attack happened less than a month after the birthday event.
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has described Matlala as being at the centre of a corrupt web involving politicians, senior police and dodgy tenders.
While Nciza confirmed he attended, calling Sodi “my brother”, others like Maile and Mabe declined to comment. Khoza admitted he was there but distanced himself from Matlala. Sodi told News24 the men were his friends and said Mashatile was “invited but couldn’t make it”.
Sodi himself is awaiting trial for the R255-million Free State asbestos scandal, alongside former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule. He has been linked to another controversial tender, the R290-million Rooiwaal Wastewater Treatment Plant deal, which was flagged after a cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal.
According to the Zondo Commission, Sodi’s company Blackhead Consulting paid at least R370,000 directly into Mashatile’s account and donated millions to the ANC.
Matlala is also under criminal investigation for a cancelled R360-million South African Police Service health contract. His company Medicare24 received R50-million before the deal was scrapped over fraud allegations.
He was the sole director of the company and had been flagged in connection with corruption at Tembisa Hospital – the same network whistleblower Babita Deokaran was investigating before her murder.
Despite his criminal profile, Matlala reportedly secured political favours. In leaked messages, he arranged for former police minister Bheki Cele to access his luxury penthouse in Pretoria. Cele later admitted to staying there twice but denied being friends with Matlala.
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption has now opened an investigation into the contract.
Pictured above: Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala.
Image source: File
