Overview

• Crime intelligence head Lt‑Gen Dumisani Khumalo presented WhatsApp messages between alleged cartel figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Brown Mogotsi on day 10 of the hearings.
• The chats reference the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, a court date, and a requested 25% deposit for accommodation and flight packages, with call logs between the pair also shown.
• Khumalo testified that the court date related to Matlala’s urgent application to recover firearms seized during a December compliance inspection and raid.
• Screenshots shown to the commission included texts from a contact saved as “Senzo Mchunu” on Mogotsi’s phone reading “please update” and “Was the arrest effected?”.
• The evidence is being led as the inquiry assesses alleged interference in policing, including the 2024 order to dissolve the Political Killings Task Team that senior SAPS officials have called outside the minister’s authority, with ballistic links and SIU findings on Matlala’s R13m benefit providing additional context.