The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. Not a summary of everything — the one thing that makes someone stop scrolling. A reader who only reads this paragraph must understand what happened.

Suspended EMPD acting chief commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi has conceded that alleged criminal Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala's police clearance certificate was fraudulent.

Testifying before the commission of inquiry on Wednesday, Mkhwanazi found himself under renewed scrutiny after evidence revealed that the police clearance certificate submitted in support of Matlala was fake.

While accepting the findings against the document, Mkhwanazi turned his frustration on the commission and the intense public attention surrounding his testimony, arguing that he was being unfairly singled out.

“There’s an article about Julius Mkhwanazi every day. It’s character assassination. It is happening, and the commission is allowing it,” he said.

However, commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga swiftly dismissed the criticism, reminding Mkhwanazi that the commission had no authority over media reporting.

The controversy centres on a police clearance certificate that was presented as proof that Matlala had no previous criminal convictions.

The document was forwarded to Mkhwanazi by Medicare24 chief executive Mike van Wyk as part of efforts to include Matlala in a peace corps-style volunteer programme.

But evidence leader Adv. Mahlape Sello SC revealed that SAPS had found the certificate to be fraudulent.

According to an affidavit presented before the commission, the document contained transaction and inquiry numbers that did not match any legitimate police clearance certificate issued by SAPS.

Investigators also discovered that the certificate had originally been issued to another individual.

The signature appearing on the document was further flagged as suspicious and appeared to have been forged, although it shared similarities with that of an authorised official.

Faced with the evidence, Mkhwanazi conceded the certificate was fraudulent.

The inquiry further heard that SAPS records show Matlala has a criminal conviction dating back to 2001.

He was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for housebreaking and theft.

The certificate was submitted during efforts to enrol Matlala in a volunteer programme intended to assist with traffic management, school crossings and community events.

Mkhwanazi defended the need for strict vetting of participants, saying individuals with criminal records should not be entrusted with responsibilities that place them in direct contact with communities.

“You can’t allow a criminal to work with school kids, communities and to control traffic because they will take advantage of that,” he said.

At the same time, Mkhwanazi maintained that he was not responsible for personally verifying documents submitted by applicants.

He testified that paperwork received from external parties was forwarded to relevant EMPD departments for processing and further checks.

The commission has previously heard that Van Wyk introduced Mkhwanazi to Matlala in 2021.

That introduction allegedly led to an unofficial working relationship between EMPD and companies linked to Matlala, including Medicare24 Tshwane District and CAT VIP Protection.

Evidence before the inquiry revealed that several private vehicles linked to Matlala were registered under the City of Ekurhuleni and fitted with blue lights.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also drafted that could have extended similar privileges to Medicare24 and Anubis Protection Services, another company owned by Van Wyk.

The revelations have intensified scrutiny of the relationship between EMPD officials and Matlala-linked businesses.

### Key Facts:

  • Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala's police clearance certificate was found to be fraudulent.
  • Matlala has a criminal conviction dating back to 2001.
  • He was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for housebreaking and theft.
  • Several private vehicles linked to Matlala were registered under the City of Ekurhuleni and fitted with blue lights.
  • A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was drafted that could have extended similar privileges to Medicare24 and Anubis Protection Services.

### Background on the Madlanga Commission: The Madlanga Commission was established to investigate corruption allegations involving EMPD officials and Matlala-linked businesses.

The commission has previously heard that Van Wyk introduced Mkhwanazi to Matlala in 2021.

That introduction allegedly led to an unofficial working relationship between EMPD and companies linked to Matlala.

The inquiry has also revealed that several private vehicles linked to Matlala were registered under the City of Ekurhuleni and fitted with blue lights.