Matlala’s wife defrauded Ekurhuleni of R3.7m, Madlanga Commission hears
The Madlanga Commission has heard startling evidence about how a company linked to Tsakane Matlala, the wife of alleged crime figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, received millions of rand from the Ekurhuleni Municipality.
In July 2023, the city invited bids from accredited training providers to implement professional qualification programmes.
However, the contract was awarded to Buena Vista Learning Academy, which, according to documents submitted to evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson, was not registered as a skills development provider at the time.
"After the bid was invited and less than two weeks before the deadline, Mokoko Grill became Buena Vista Learning Academy… I want to put to you that that was another red flag that might have been picked up, if you accept that,” he told the commission.
The commission heard that just days before submitting its bid, the company had been operating under the name Mokoko Grill, described as a local shisanyama business.
Its sole director is Tsakane Matlala, previously Tsakane Baloyi.
Documents presented to the commission show that while the original tender was valued at R66,500, payments to the company eventually totalled approximately R3.7 million.
“Although they bid with a total bid price of R66,500, in the period from 23 July 2024 to 5 September 2025, they were paid R3,484,987. Do you know how that could have happened?” Chaskalson asked during testimony.
The commission also explored the role of departmental allocations and CETA grants in funding the payments.
“If the money is allocated, the departments will ask for a particular training, and then we’ll allocate that training for that department, and once they are done with the training, it will be paid from the CETA’s grants.”
Suspended Head of Human Resources, Linda Gxasheka, told the commission she was not involved in the bid evaluation or adjudication process.
She acknowledged that the deal raised serious concerns:“From the deductions that I made, I agree with you, chair,” she said.
Chaskalson also highlighted concerns about the type of qualifications the tender was meant for.
He explained that the tender focused on formal qualifications, such as degrees and diplomas, rather than shorter unit-standard courses.
“The majority of the time our tenders are focusing on unit standards, and that is what is confusing the institution… if you take a route of having a formal certificate, diploma, degree, honours, master's, it will then assist to improve our qualification profile,” he said.
The commission examined the internal municipal committees responsible for tender specifications, evaluation, and adjudication, highlighting gaps in oversight.
“What we do know is that Ms Baloyi and Buena Vista Learning Academy have, in this application, perpetrated a fraud on the city and have taken almost R3.5 million out of the city as a result of that fraud. Would you agree with that?” said Chaskalson.
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