An explosive letter penned by a fellow inmate of alleged underworld kingpin Vumuzi “Vusi” Kat Matlala has rocked Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating political interference in the criminal justice system, implicating senior legal figures in an alleged plot to discredit KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The letter, allegedly written by Jermaine Prim who shared a prison block with Matlala at CMAX prison, describes in detail how lawyers connected to Police Minister on special leave Senzo Mchunu allegedly visited the incarcerated underworld figure with a pre-written affidavit for him to sign – a document stating he did not know the minister.
According to the letter read during proceedings, on September 9 or 10, a conference call took place involving Shamila Batohi, Senzo Mchunu, Lawrence Hodes, Matlala’s advocate, and an unnamed police general. Hodes allegedly added a person identified as “Kwashu” to the call to facilitate discussions about getting Matlala to sign an affidavit denying knowledge of Mchunu.
“Kwashu told him to first show good faith by granting Vusi bail,” the letter states. “Vusi was quite angry that Kwashu refused to facilitate this. Vusi then explained to me that Hodes and Shamila are good friends and that Shamila and Senzo Mchunu are also very close. That is why Shamila Batohi is trying to help Senzo Mchunu.”
The letter further alleges that Matlala said Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) head Advocate Andrea Johnson was “also on board” with the plan. It also claims that individuals from IPID visited Matlala at prison on more than one occasion, with the purpose being “for him to help them discredit General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.”
The significance of the letter lies in its timing – it describes a meeting between Matlala and Mkhwanazi on April 15, 2025, before that meeting was ever publicly disclosed. Matlala had previously testified before the commission about that meeting, claiming it was facilitated by former Police Minister Bheki Cele to discuss assistance with a R360 million tender.
Mkhwanazi, who first testified before the committee, made no initial mention of the meeting. He has since clarified that the meeting was facilitated by Hawks head in the province Major General Lesetja Senona, that the apartment was wired for sound by crime intelligence, and that then-crime intelligence head Dumisani Kumalo gave the go-ahead as it would assist with investigations.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also made a significant intervention during proceedings, stating that Mchunu did not have the authority to disband the Political Killings Task Team. The President clarified that such a decision lies solely with National Commissioner Fannie Masemola.
The committee also heard testimony linking Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema to the proceedings. Malema’s name emerged in connection with his alleged close relationship with former crime intelligence head Feroz Khan. Mkhwanazi previously cleared Khan of charges related to a R700 million drug bust investigation, but questions are now being raised about Khan’s relationship with the EFF leader. Malema was absent from proceedings due to a family bereavement.
Throughout the marathon session, committee members from the MK party expressed concern for Mkhwanazi’s safety and that of his family, given his central role in multiple investigations. One committee member noted that Mkhwanazi remains “the last man standing” – a reference to his Tupac fandom – as allegations continue to swirl around senior figures in the criminal justice system.
The ad hoc committee continues its inquiry into allegations of criminal infiltration and political interference in South Africa’s criminal justice system.