Mashatile denies intention to meet Matlala following Madlanga Commission bombshell
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has rejected claims that he intended to meet alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, following testimony presented at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday.
The evidence shows that Matlala had intended to meet Mashatile but Gauteng police officer Sergeant Fannie Nkosi omitted this from his testimony, saying it was due to human error.
Evidence before the commission shows Nkosi’s home was raided in October last year by police searching for Matlala’s credit card.
Following the raid, Nkosi said in a handwritten statement that Matlala contacted him, asking for the card back as he was meeting with Mashatile and suspended Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.
However, in both his written statement and oral testimony, Nkosi made no mention of Mashatile or the alleged meeting with Matlala.
When evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson questioned the omission, Nkosi said it was simply human error.
He denied trying to protect the Deputy President, adding that he did not know what the meeting with Matlala was about or whether it ever took place.
In response, the Deputy President has strongly denied the claims, with his office saying he has no knowledge of the individuals mentioned in the testimony and has never had any association or dealings with them.
“The Deputy President Mashatile categorically denies the claims,” Acting Spokesperson Keith Khoza said.
Khoza added that “the Deputy President does not know the individuals referenced in the testimony and has never had any association or dealings with them.”
He further stated that “the Deputy President was out of the country at the time that Mr. Matlala purportedly met with him or intended to do so.”
Mashatile has also indicated his willingness to cooperate with the Madlanga Commission, saying he is prepared to assist should the commission require any further clarity.
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