Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has labelled as petty gossip reports that his wife, Mantoa Matlala, and he – through marriage – are related to attempted murder-accused businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
This, after rumours surfaced on social media that Malema and his wife Mantwa use CAT VIP protection services owned by Matlala, and that the outspoken leader had been oddly silent on the issues concerning the businessman because his wife is related to him.
Matlala has been a hot topic after he was named by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as an alleged funder of Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, during an explosive media briefing earlier this month that sent shockwaves across the country.
JULIUS MALEMA SAYS HE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH VUSIMUZI ‘CAT’ MATLALA
Speaking to journalists in Polokwane at the ward 13 by-election on Wednesday, 16 July, Malema said he had nothing to do with Matlala.
“He must go rot in jail. I don’t know him, I don’t even care about him. I’ve never had anything to do with him. So, you [the media] take petty gossip and you come and ask me about it? There are serious national issues you must ask me about. I’ve got nothing to do with what is happening,” he said.
TENDERPRENUER APPEARS IN COURT
Meanwhile, Vusimuzi “Cat’ Matlala and his wife appeared before the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court last Friday on charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering.
IOL reported that the Matlalas face charges linked to a high-profile attack on actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane, who survived a dramatic shooting incident in October 2023 on the N1 highway near Sandton, Johannesburg.
Thobejane reportedly was shot in the foot, while a woman in the car sustained a serious spinal cord injury.
At the weekend after his court appearance, the 49-year-old Pretoria businessman was caught with a cellphone during a surprise search which was led by Correctional Services national commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale at the Kgosi Mampuru C-Max section where he is detained.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT JULIUS MALEMA’S SENTIMENTS ABOUT VUSIMUZI ‘CAT’ MATLALA?
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