How Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala managed to get cellphone inside Kgosi Mampuru prison

ACCORDING to a preliminary investigation, inmate Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala alleges that he got the cellphone found in his possession from another offender who has since been released on bail.

- HOPE NTANZI

In a parliamentary reply, Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald said the investigation could not point to anyone responsible except Matlala himself, who was caught with the contraband during a search at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre.

This comes after a question by EFF’s Babalwa Mathulelwa regarding the circumstances under which Matlala was found with the cellphone and what actions the department has taken to prevent future security breaches.

Matlala, 49, has become a central figure in explosive allegations involving fraud, violent crime, and high-level corruption. He was found in possession of a mobile phone during a raid at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility in Pretoria, raising serious questions about prison security.

In July, Commissioner of Correctional Services Makgothi Thobakgale confirmed the incident, stating, “On Sunday morning, we did a surprise search and we found a cellphone in his possession.”

He added that the device was handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation.