The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into criminality and corruption within the criminal justice system saw two high-profile witnesses this week, with an alleged cartel kingpin repeatedly invoking his right against self-incrimination and a National Coloured Congress MP forced to retract key portions of his testimony.

The commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, heard testimony from Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala on Monday and continued with National Coloured Congress MP Fadiel Adams at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria.  

Matlala refuses to answer key questions  

Matlala, described as an alleged cartel kingpin, appeared before the commission on 17 August but invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination on numerous occasions, citing pending criminal charges.  

The Medicare24 owner faces a fraud trial related to a R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) tender—of which approximately R50 million was paid out before the contract was halted. He refused to address allegations that he bribed police officials or provided 20 impalas as gratification to Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya.  

His testimony got off to a chaotic start when proceedings were briefly delayed due to a fire alarm at the venue. A legal standoff then ensued between his advocate, Annaline van den Heever, and commission evidence leader Mahlape Sello regarding the extent to which Matlala could be questioned while facing concurrent criminal trials.  

Matlala declined to answer questions about his relationship with various associates, including businessman Hangwani Maumela, and the circumstances under which Sergeant Fannie Nkosi was in possession of a bank card for Luxo Africa Brand Investments, a company linked to him.  

However, he did confirm an oral agreement for a R15 million loan from North West businessman Suliman Carrim to help service the Medicare24 contract with SAPS. He also denied having any personal relationship or financial links to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.  

In a dramatic moment, Matlala alleged that a man known as “Mr Maluleka” attempted to extort him while incarcerated, pressuring him to manufacture evidence against National Police Commissioner Fanny Masemola and Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo.  

Justice Madlanga ordered Matlala to file a supplementary affidavit by 21 August and a replying affidavit with heads of argument by 22 August. He is scheduled to return to the commission on 24 and 25 August.  

Adams admits misleading minister, retracts testimony  

National Coloured Congress Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams initially appeared before the commission on 11 August, but questioning was postponed to 19 August after he submitted his witness statement late. Upon taking the stand, Adams faced intense scrutiny regarding his credibility and the consistency of his claims.  

Adams repeatedly cited the late Major-General André Lincoln – who died on 23 July 2023 – as his primary source of information, claiming Lincoln provided approximately 90% of the allegations he took to the police minister and the Investigation Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).

Evidence leader Advocate Lee Seegels-Ncube criticised this reliance, stating: “You cannot rely on a dead man, Mr Adams.”

During his appearance on 19 August, Adams was confronted regarding claims that he had failed to receive a Rule 3 notice sent in October 2025, where he admitted to misleading the panel. Adams also maintained that his parliamentary laptop suffered long-standing technical issues, leading his attorney to demand that Parliament retract a statement disputing his account.

The following day, Adams conceded that he had misled then-Police Minister Senzo Mchunu by presenting unverified allegations as fact.  

On Friday, Adams resumed his testimony by retracting parts of the evidence he had provided the previous day, specifically regarding dockets opened at the Orlando Police Station.  

Adams also clashed with IDAC over a disputed affidavit from a 6 January 2025 interview, arguing that a supplementary affidavit filed by IDAC’s chief investigator, Dylan Perumal, was not the one commissioned during his interview.  

He announced his intention to lay criminal charges against IDAC State Advocate Drushantha Ramsamy and reported her to the Legal Practice Council.  

The commission operates following its establishment by President Cyril Ramaphosa in response to allegations raised by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi regarding criminality within police structures and the broader criminal justice system.  

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