MASHATILE SLAMS 'FALSE MEETING' WITH MATLALA

Deputy President denies connection to alleged cartel leader amid Commission testimony

- KAMOGELO MOICHELA and RAPULA MOATSHE

DEPUTY President Paul Mashatile has rejected claims that he met or planned to meet with alleged cartel leader Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala as categorically 'untrue.

The claims, raised by Gauteng Organised Crime Unit officer Sergeant Fannie Nkosi during testimony before the Madlanga Commission yesterday, suggested a link between Mashatile and Matlala.

According to Nkosi, Matlala urgently requested his bank card just before an alleged scheduled meeting with Mashatile and suspended police deputy commissioner Lt-Gen. Shadrack Sibiya.

Nkosi told the commission he could not confirm whether the card was meant for Mashatile or for another purpose.

But in a sharp response, Mashatile said he does not know either Matlala or any of the individuals mentioned in the testimony.

Mashatile's office underscored a key contradiction: he was out of the country at the time the alleged meeting was said to have taken place.

"Of significance is that the Deputy President does not know the individuals referenced in the testimony and has never had any association or dealings with them.

"Of greater significance is that the Deputy President was out of the country at the time that Mr Matlala purportedly met with him or intended to do so," the statement read.