By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider

The venue holding the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry had to be evacuated due to reports of a fire on Monday morning.

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala was set to take the witness stand on Monday over the coming days. The alleged underworld kingpin, was subpoenaed to come to the commission in order to testify about the role that he played in the R228 Million SAPS tender.

Before the venue was evacuated, Matlala had given testimony also regarding his relationship with Medicare CEO, Mike Van Wyk, and has stated that he is indeed not his friend. “My relationship with Mike Van Wyk is a subject of a matter pending before the court” said Matlala.

“I do not wish to incriminate myself, as Mike was a CEO of my company, Medicare, the very same company that had a contract with SAPS. I therefore claim the right to not incriminate myself,” said Matlala in his testimony.

Matlala has also denied having a relationship with Andrew Boy Mthethwa and Katiso Molefe and also mentioned that he came to know of Brown Mogotsi when he called around the time that his home was raided.

“Prior to this incident, I had no dealings with Brown Mogotsi,” said Matlala. Matlala also stated that Mogotsi had impersonated himself as being from the Minister of Police’s office and mentioned that he used this strategy to incentivise him into giving him financial assistance.

Matlala is currently facing charges linked to corruption and was questioned about his relationship with senior police officials including suspended Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, Kwa-Zulu Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.

 “I do not have any relationship with Minister Senzo Mchunu. I have never met Mchunu and have had no interactions with him, nor have I been at any gatherings where he was present” said Matlala. Matlala also rejected the notion that he had asked any favours from the minister or had any other alternative reasons for having any sort of communication with him.