MBABANE – Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, the prominent businessman accused of orchestrating a network of corruption, fraud and violence in South Africa, holds an Eswatini national ID.
An investigation by the Times of Eswatini has uncovered that the Eswatini ID was issued under mysterious circumstances.
The Ministry of Home Affairs’ civil registry lists a man with attributes identical to Matlala as Vusimuzi Dlamini, a resident of Motshane, with ID number 7605286100###.
‘Dlamini’ is registered as the second-born son of Christinah Thembi Shongwe, a housewife from Motshane. However, authorities are baffled as Shongwe’s actual second-born child is not Vusimuzi, making his registration a mystery. His father is not listed.
The picture on the Eswatini ID matches Matlala’s widely circulated image in South African media, suggesting a recent acquisition. To obtain an Eswatini national ID, one typically requires an unabridged birth certificate proving both parents are emaSwati, or for foreigners, a rigorous application process including residency, good character, economic self-sufficiency and community acceptance. Matlala’s purported ID raises significant questions about this process.
Our investigations discovered that the civil registry of the Ministry of Home Affairs records that a man with identical attributes to Matlala is registered as Vusimuzi Dlamini, a resident of Motshane, a rural chiefdom 15 kilometres north of the capital city, Mbabane.
The documents state that Dlamini is the second-born son of Christinah Thembi Shongwe, a housewife of Motshane. Her National ID number is 5307081100###.
What has baffled authorities is that Shongwe has a second-born child who is not Vusimuzi Matlala.
“It, therefore, remains a mystery how Vusi got to be registered as the second-born child of Thembi,” a source said. His father is not stated in the documents that this newspaper has seen.
Matlala’s picture in the Eswatini national ID resembles the one widely circulating in South African media showing a light-skinned, bearded face and with a clean-shaven head. The implication is also that the Eswatini ID was not taken very long ago.
To qualify for a national ID in Eswatini, one must produce an unabridged birth certificate, which has proof that the parents are also emaSwati.
To apply for Eswatini citizenship, foreigners typically need to meet certain requirements, including residing in the country for a specified period, demonstrating good character and being economically self-sufficient.
They must also demonstrate acceptance into Eswatini society. The process involves submitting an application form, fingerprints, a covering letter, relevant certificates (birth, marriage or residence), passport-sized photos and paying a pre-application fee.
Matlala, who is a businessman, is currently in jail at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility, where he is awaiting trial. His name has emerged in politically charged allegations.
During a recent press briefing in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was under criminal investigation and linked to corrupt elements within the SAPS.
General Mkhwanazi cited Matlala’s allegedly irregular tender award as an example of systemic issues.
Mchunu has denied any association with Matlala, describing the allegations as baseless.
General Mkhwanazi’s bombshell revelations detailed how Matlala allegedly paid Mchunu to disband a police task team investigating his role in the attempted murder of his former lover, actress Tebogo Thobejane.
This multi-layered investigation traced the deadly intersection of tender fraud, political protection, and criminal violence – showing how R50 million in taxpayer money disappeared while officials looked away, creating the most significant police scandal since Jackie Selebi’s downfall.
Matlala was arrested in Midrand on May 14, following what police termed a ‘high-profile investigation’. He stands accused of orchestrating the alleged hit on the said attempted murder of socialite Tebogo Thobejane and laundering millions, including funds linked to a R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) health services tender. That contract — awarded to a company linked to Matlala — was cancelled in May by National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who said the firm should never have advanced past the initial bidding phase.
Once known for flaunting luxury vehicles and opulent properties, Matlala is now classified as a high-risk inmate at C-Max. During a recent raid, a mobile phone was found in his possession. An internal investigation is under way.
His co-accused include his wife, Tsakani Matlala (accused number four), Musa Kekana (accused number one), and Tiegi Floyd Mabusela, also known as Danny (accused number two). Charges against them include attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering.
Matlala is expected to face additional charges, as legal proceedings over the alleged attempted murder of socialite Thobejane continue to unfold.
On Friday, Matlala and three co-accused appeared at the Alexandra Magistrates Court.
In May, Tsakani Matlala was added to the charge sheet and granted R20 000 bail due to poor health and her role as a mother of young children. The rail conditions include surrendering her passport, remaining in Gauteng and avoiding contact with witnesses or relatives of the other accused.
Full details in today's paper.
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