Cat Matlala’s Maumela bombshell puts Ramaphosa link back in spotlight

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has confirmed that he is friends with Morgan Maumela and previously did business with the businessman linked to the R2 billion Tembisa Hospital corruption investigation, renewing scrutiny of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s previously disclosed connection to Maumela.

A fresh twist in the growing controversy surrounding businessman Morgan Hangwani Maumela has emerged after alleged crime boss Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala publicly acknowledged that Maumela is his friend and confirmed they had previously conducted business together.

Matlala told the Madlanga Commission that his association with Maumela began around 2015 or 2016 through their shared interest in sports cars.

He said they would occasionally meet at restaurants in Sandton and discuss their vehicles.

"We had a passion for sports cars…That's how we knew each other," Matlala testified.

The admission has renewed scrutiny of President Cyril Ramaphosa's previous explanation of his limited connection to Maumela, even though he has repeatedly denied having any personal or business relationship with him.

Maumela has long been linked to investigations into alleged corruption surrounding the R2 billion looting of Tembisa Hospital. While Matlala remains in prison facing separate allegations involving corruption and organised crime, Maumela has not been arrested.

However, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Special Tribunal have secured multiple preservation and seizure orders against Maumela and his associated entities over the alleged looting at Tembisa Hospital.

In a recent development, the SIU was authorised to sell a R9.5 million Ferrari SF90 Stradale linked to Maumela.

The sale follows a preservation order granted on August 14, 2025, which covers an extensive collection of luxury real estate in some of South Africa's most exclusive suburbs, including Bantry Bay, Sandhurst, Hartbeespoort, Ballito and Three Anchor Bay.

Also forfeited are several other high-performance vehicles, including four Lamborghinis - a Urus, Huracán STO, Aventador SVJ and Aventador Ultimae models - a Bentley Continental GT V8, an Isuzu D-Max, a luxury boat and a multipurpose trailer.

The investigation stemmed from information uncovered by slain Gauteng Health Department official Babita Deokaran, whose reports exposed suspected procurement irregularities within the hospital's supply chain before she was murdered on August 23, 2021.

Her disclosures triggered an extensive forensic investigation supported by the National Treasury's Specialised Audit Services Unit, which examined hospital payment records, supplier registrations and company ownership data spanning more than six years.

Investigators concluded that 14 companies allegedly controlled by the Maumela syndicate appeared to have unlawfully benefited from hospital contracts worth more than R400 million.