Tsakane Matlala, the spouse of suspected cartel member and contractor Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, has been implicated in a contentious municipal training contract worth R3.7 million granted by the City of Ekurhuleni.
An inquiry conducted by News24 reveals that the contract was given to Buena Vista Learning Academy, a firm that Matlala allegedly took over just 10 days prior to the contract being awarded.
Documentation indicates that the company previously functioned as a grill restaurant before swiftly rebranding itself as a training facility in the lead-up to the bid.
Though it had a limited history, the business won a contract to deliver skills development training for around 1,500 municipal staff members.
The training involved subjects such as grading operations and the use of heavy machinery, like TLBs, for road construction endeavors.
The business’s quick transformation and its eligibility for this substantial municipal contract have sparked scrutiny regarding its ability to fulfill the experience and compliance standards commonly required for such tenders.
Investigators suggest that Buena Vista Learning Academy now primarily operates as a shell company associated with multiple tenders.
This situation has drawn attention to high-ranking officials within the City of Ekurhuleni.
The tender was overseen by former human resources director Linda Gxasheka, who was dismissed following claims that she shielded suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi from disciplinary measures tied to allegations of corruption within the municipality and the metro police department.
Furthermore, News24 indicates that Ekurhuleni has frequently been identified as an area of influence for Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a claim substantiated by evidence presented to both the Madlanga Commission and an Ad Hoc Committee investigating corruption and governance issues.
The inquiry also associates the Matlalas with a luxurious lifestyle potentially financed by earnings from tender-related agreements, including residences in two mansions in Pretoria, driving high-end vehicles, and traveling internationally on a regular basis.
