Businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala is consulting his legal representative during court proceedings, when he sought relief from the court in connection with the costly consultation process following his relocation to Kokstad.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald has defended the controversial transfer of businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala from the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre to the eBongweni correctional facility.
Responding to parliamentary questions from MK Party MP Glen Taaibosch, Groenewald said correctional officials followed Standard Operating Procedures when the relocation of Matlala took place three months ago.
He said according to the Standard Operating Procedures in the Department of Correctional Services’ facilities, security threat and risk assessments are conducted regularly to detect risks and threats.
The purpose of the assessments was to inform mitigating measures necessary to prevent and/or manage risks or threats.
“The inmate was accommodated at the local remand detention facility of Kgosi Mampuru II, and after he was found in possession of contraband, a cellphone, he was transferred to C-Max,” he said.
Matlala was relocated from Kgosi Mampuru on December 21, 2025, to Kokstad, a move that prompted him to seek relief from the Johannesburg High Court amid challenges in conducting proper consultation with his legal team.
Groenewald said no investigation was conducted into Matlala’s transfer because there was no contravention of the Standing Operating Procedures and that no constitutional rights were infringed.
He explained that his department observed the policy principles of the 2014 White Paper on Remand Detention Management, which advocates for safe and secure remand detention.
He added that although the Constitution allowed for a limitation of rights, the responsibility of keeping persons in detention, safe, remains an obligation of the authority detaining such person.
Groenewald quoted a section of the Correctional Services Act, which provides for “the department to take such steps as are necessary to ensure the safe custody of every inmate and maintain security and good order in every correctional centre”.
He added that the National Commissioner was empowered to detain inmates separately when there was a danger to persons awaiting trial or defeating the ends of justice by their association with each other.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has waded into the reported proposal by Matlala regarding an alleged R70 million private terminal at O.R. Tambo International Airport.
According to recent media reports, Matlala allegedly had meetings with bank representatives, who accompanied him on a site inspection of OR Tambo’s cargo terminal in 2023.
The reports said the failed proposal outlined how VIP and VVIP passengers would bypass conventional airport procedures through a fast-tracked system managed by his security firm.
Following the report, MK Party MP Zelna Saira Abader wanted to know whether Creecy intended to investigate how private individuals gained access to a strategic national infrastructure without any formal proposal, approval, or paper trail within ACSA’s systems.
Abader also enquired about the steps Creecy will take to determine who authorised the engagement with Matlala and whether procurement and security protocols were breached, among other things.
Creecy said ACSA has informed her that it does not have records of any proposal that was done by Matlala about a private terminal at O.R. Tambo International Airport, including any site visits that were allegedly conducted with financiers.
“ACSA confirms that there were no official engagements and commitments entered into with any businesses that are linked with Mr Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
“Should the honourable member possess any evidence of such a proposal, site visits, or any other official engagements held between ACSA and Mr Matlala, they are urged to bring it to the attention of the minister, to initiate an official investigation,” she added.