Explosive Revelations at Madlanga Commission: Brown Mogotsi Names Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala as Mamelodi’s Notorious ‘John Wick’
Pretoria – In a bombshell testimony that has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s criminal justice circles, North West businessman Brown Mogotsi has pointed the finger at alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, labelling him as the mysterious “John Wick” behind a string of vigilante-style killings in Mamelodi. Speaking before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is digging deep into claims of corruption, political meddling, and wrongdoing in the justice system, Mogotsi laid out evidence that suggests top police officials knew about Matlala’s dark side years ago but did little to act.
This comes as the commission shifts into its second phase, where people named in earlier evidence get their chance to respond. Mogotsi, the first to step up in this round, painted a picture of hidden intelligence reports, shady deals, and high-level connections that reach into the heart of government and law enforcement. His words have sparked fresh questions about how deep the rot goes in protecting powerful figures involved in crime.
The Rise of ‘John Wick’ in Mamelodi’s Underworld
The nickname “John Wick” first grabbed attention back in 2021, when an unknown gunman started picking off members of the feared Boko Haram criminal gang in Mamelodi, a township east of Pretoria. Many locals saw these hits as vigilante justice, targeting thugs who terrorised communities by demanding protection money – often R300 or more – from mostly foreign shop owners. The killings were brutal and precise, much like the Hollywood action hero the shooter was named after.
But according to Mogotsi, this was no lone avenger. He told the commission that a detailed Crime Intelligence report from as early as October 2018 clearly identified Matlala as the man behind the mask. The six-page document, focused on the Boko Haram gang, included a photo of “John Wick”, his ID number, a rundown of his past convictions, ongoing cases, and even matters that had been quietly dropped. Mogotsi stressed that this wasn’t just rumour – it was solid proof handed over to key figures in the police.
What makes this even more alarming is the timeline. The actual killings happened in 2021, involving not just Boko Haram but a splinter group called Bafarasai. Yet, police had this intel three years earlier. Mogotsi claimed the report was presented directly to then-Police Minister Bheki Cele, raising eyebrows about why nothing seemed to change. Cele has since said publicly that he only crossed paths with Matlala in December 2024, at a hotel in Durban where he was introduced by Bongani “Mabonga” Mpungose, the son of a big name in the taxi world. But Mogotsi called this out as inconsistent, insisting the 2018 dossier proves Cele knew far more, far sooner.
Mogotsi’s Deep Ties to Intelligence and His Role as an Informant
To understand Mogotsi’s claims, it’s worth looking at his own background. He described himself as someone with years of experience in the shadows of intelligence work. From 1993 to early 1995, he was part of Umkhonto we Sizwe’s self-defence units, focusing on gathering secret information and countering enemy spies within South Africa. This gave him skills in undercover operations that he later brought to the table as an official informant for the South African Police Service starting in 1999.
By 2009, Mogotsi said he was fully registered as an agent for Crime Intelligence, acting as a “contact agent” or undercover operative. His job involved getting close to suspects and feeding back details to handlers. He even shared a personal scare, saying he survived an assassination attempt when his car was shot at on the East Rand. Despite being painted by some witnesses as a political fixer meddling in the justice system – with links to figures like Police Minister Senzo Mchunu – Mogotsi pushed back, positioning himself as a long-time insider helping to expose corruption.
In his testimony, he detailed how he was tasked in 2024 to probe Matlala’s operations, especially after hearing whispers that Cele had a stake in a massive tender. His handler, a Crime Intelligence officer, told him to wait until after the May 2024 general elections before diving in, hinting at possible political shake-ups.
The R360 Million Tender Scandal and Alleged Payoffs
At the core of Mogotsi’s evidence is a controversial R360 million contract awarded in June 2024 to Matlala’s company, Medicare24 Tshwane District. The deal was for providing health-risk management services to the South African Police Service, but it unravelled fast. By May 2025, it was scrapped amid probes into irregularities, leaving a trail of questions about how it was handed out in the first place.
Mogotsi said his mission was to infiltrate Matlala’s circle and uncover the syndicate behind the tender, including any police insiders. To build trust, he posed as someone tight with Mchunu, promising to sort out Matlala’s gripes. Their first chat happened on 7 December 2024, right after a raid on Matlala’s home linked to the kidnapping of businessman Jerry Boshoga. Matlala vented about delayed payments and police harassment, even asking Mogotsi to help open a case.
In a face-to-face meeting in Johannesburg that day, Matlala dropped heavy accusations. He claimed National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola had demanded R25 million, with R5 million already paid over. Cele, he said, wanted R10 million but had only got R2 million so far. Matlala called them “ungrateful” and spoke of a plot where Cele and Masemola planned Cele’s return as police minister, with Sibiya – the suspended Deputy National Commissioner – getting the boot.
Mogotsi also revealed Matlala’s push to meet Mchunu after the ANC’s January 8 celebrations in Cape Town. To show goodwill, Matlala chipped in R149 000 for transport and fun at the event, plus extra cash for eight people, all routed through a company run by Mogotsi’s fiancée, who works as a travel agent. But the Mchunu meeting never happened – Mogotsi faked it on orders from his handler and offered a sit-down with Sibiya instead to keep Matlala talking.
Connections to Top Cops and Ongoing Probes
Mogotsi’s links extended to other big players. He reached out to Sibiya in August 2024, after Sibiya took over from the late Sindile Mfazi, who passed away in July 2021. Mogotsi had worked with Mfazi before and used that to build rapport, though Sibiya was wary at first. They discussed the tender mess and an alleged cover-up of theft by Crime Intelligence CFO Philani Lushaba. Sibiya eventually greenlit the op and shared Matlala’s number.
Even from behind bars, Matlala kept in touch. After a press briefing by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on 6 July, Matlala called Mogotsi, saying he had planned to meet Mkhwanazi during an April trip to Durban. He believed Mkhwanazi could fix his woes. Mogotsi set up surveillance, paying an Uber driver R1 000 to act as an informant. The driver tracked Matlala from a hotel to a Mercedes-Benz pickup, ending at a house in Umhlanga.
Cele’s stay at Matlala’s fancy penthouse in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria, in January 2025 – during an ANC gathering – was confirmed by Mogotsi. He admitted it was “a nice place” but noted it led to Cele’s arrest there, tying back to the web of favours and freebies.
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