Overview
- Mkhwanazi acknowledged receiving three payments totaling R70,000 from entities linked to Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, while insisting the money was personal assistance rather than bribes.
- Under questioning, he accepted that he facilitated the submission of documents to register Matlala’s vehicles under the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department but denied authorising or fitting blue lights.
- He testified that he lacked authority to approve blue-light use for private vehicles, saying such privileges require a ministerial sign-off beyond municipal processes.
- Evidence leaders highlighted EMPD registration of Cat VIP vehicles and pressed him on an unsigned letter of intention, a disputed 2021 ‘letter of authority,’ and his claim that ex-deputy chief Revo Spies presented a forged SOCA operational plan.
- He confirmed placing Cat VIP in the 2022 State of the City Address security plan and is set to return for further testimony as the commission turns to Mchunu’s evidence on the PKTT decision.