{"id":22125,"date":"2026-02-06T20:16:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T18:16:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/?p=22125"},"modified":"2026-02-06T20:16:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T18:16:17","slug":"senior-saps-officer-stands-by-cat-matlala-describes-him-as-kind-and-modest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/senior-saps-officer-stands-by-cat-matlala-describes-him-as-kind-and-modest\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cSenior SAPS Officer Stands by Cat Matlala, Describes Him as Kind and Modest\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\u201cSenior<\/p>\n
\n

Rachel Matjeng<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Brigadier Rachel Matjeng provided a contrasting view of Vusimuzi \u201cCat\u201d Matlala, referring to him as a caring and humble individual who offered financial support out of genuine affection, not pressure.<\/p>\n

During her testimony at the Madlanga commission of inquiry in Pretoria on Thursday, Matjeng, a senior officer in the South African Police Service, stated she had never observed the malicious behavior that is currently associated with Matlala.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know him as a humble, respectful, and romantic person, and I had never experienced the evil side that is being portrayed currently,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Matjeng, who is in charge of quality management for criminal records and crime scene management at SAPS forensic services, recounted that she met Matlala in 2017 following a coworker who shared her photo via WhatsApp.<\/p>\n

He showed interest and asked for her phone number. \u201cShe told me a guy called Cat wanted my number and was asking for my contact. After I asked for more information, I gave permission,\u201d she recounted.<\/p>\n

They soon began a relationship, which had its ups and downs, with Matjeng noting there were times they did not communicate for extended periods.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started talking and ended up having a romantic relationship. Sometimes we would go a year without talking to each other,\u201d she testified.<\/p>\n

She acknowledged that their relationship was still active before Matlala’s arrest, and Commissioner Sandile Khumalo indicated that the arrest had merely interrupted their connection, not ended it.<\/p>\n

Matjeng concurred, stating that she now believes the relationship has concluded.<\/p>\n

Throughout her testimony, Matjeng responded to queries regarding gifts and financial aid from Matlala, emphasizing that these were personal in nature and unrelated to her job.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never borrowed money from him. What I received were gifts and money from a boyfriend since 2017,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She firmly rejected any implications that the financial assistance was tied to the awarding of the Medicare24 Tshwane contract.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone of the monies that I received from him were related to me influencing the awarding of the tender,\u201d Matjeng told the commission.<\/p>\n

She explained that she took precautions to prevent any conflict of interest after realizing her work obligations overlapped with a company associated with Matlala.<\/p>\n

She informed Major-General Manamela about her situation and offered to recuse herself. \u201cI told my supervisor that I knew Mr Matlala and explained the nature of our relationship. I asked if I should recuse myself,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

However, she was informed that the issue was part of her duties and could not be delegated.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe indicated that the facilitation of medical surveillance is solely the responsibility of the environmental compliance officer and that I still needed to address any challenges professionally,\u201d she testified.<\/p>\n

Matjeng also stated that she was not involved in the procurement process and was unaware of which firms submitted bids.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was not aware of the service provider that submitted the bids for the tender,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She further disclosed that Matlala once requested to transfer money to another bank account to keep it hidden from his wife.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said he did not want his wife to know because she only knew me as a friend,\u201d she testified, suggesting instead the account of a friend who owned a butchery.<\/p>\n

Regarding Matlala’s background, Matjeng stated that, to her knowledge, he had no criminal record during their time together.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince our relationship, to my knowledge, he was never convicted or arrested for any criminal offence, except for an old case that was before our relationship,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n