Mapaballo Borotho
- Lesetja Senona returned to the Madlanga Commission, facing tough questions over his relationship with alleged murderer Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
- He insisted he only learned of Matlala’s criminal record last year but later admitted knowing about an attempted murder investigation earlier.
- After being accused of lying by evidence leader Adila Hassim, Senona quickly backed down from his original version.
KwaZulu-Natal Hawks boss, Lesetja Senona, is back on the hot seat at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where he is being grilled about the dynamics of his relationship with alleged murderer and controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
On Wednesday, Senona told the Commission that he only found out about Matlala’s criminal record last year during his appearance before the Ad Hoc Committee, in November, where Cat described Senona as his old brother.
He further said he was not aware that Matlala’s company is implicated in the Tembisa hospital corruption saga.
He said he never profiled Matlala, as this is not something he usually does.
However, shortly after this, Senona testified that he became aware Matlala was being investigated for attempted murder back in April during a meeting with KZN top cop Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
At a meeting at the Pearls Umhlanga hotel, Senona alleges Mkhwanazi promised to put an attempted murder investigation against Matlala on hold in return for a favour.
Senona was asked whether, after this meeting, he took steps to profile Matlala. He told the commissioners that he just started pulling away from their relationship.
“It was the first time I heard about that investigation, and another division is investigating that matter; I don’t interfere with that. I had already indicated I was moving away from this relationship that I have with him,” said Senona.
Senona’s claims that he was not aware of Matlala’s criminal activities early last year was challenged. Advocate Hassim told him that he knew about allegations of Matlala’s connections to several crimes early last year.
Senona then responded that he did indeed read an article that detailed some of the allegations against Matlala, which Senona actually forwarded to the alleged criminal in March.
During his first testimony on Tuesday, he said he only knew about the change of directorship in Matlala’s Medicare24 company. He said he was not even aware that the Political Killings Task Team was investigating him.
He was adamant that he didn’t know about any criminal activities Matlala was involved in.
However, evidence leader Adila Hassim took him to task, accusing him of lying to the Madlanga Commission.
Shortly after this, Senona quickly folded from his original story.
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