Matlala's vehicle donations to Metro Police 'should have raised red flags'

A FLEET of vehicles purportedly donated to the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) by CAT Security Protection Services linked to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala lacked proper council approval to legitimise their existence.

- RAPULA MOATSHE

The vehicles identified asa BMW X5,a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, a BMW 3-Series, and a VW Golf were, however, registered under the municipality and fitted with blue lights. Xolani Nciza, former divisional head of employee relations at the City of Ekurhuleni, revealed shocking details during his testimony at the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry yesterday.

Nciza implicated suspended EMPD acting chief Julius Mkhwanazi in the blue-light convoy scandal, alleging he facilitated vehicle registration through a fleet corporate proxy managed by Chris Steyn.

He testified that the donation was flawed as there was no legal agreement with the municipality, and it appeared to be aworking relationship between Mkhwanazi and the donor.

He pointed out that the municipality has a gifts and donations policy, which requires scrutinising the donor before accepting a gift because the government would not want to align with “a person or entity that is questionable”

He suggested Mkhwanazi should have compiled a report highlighting EMPD’s capacity issues, including vehicle shortages, personnel gaps, and skills deficiencies.