Referred to as: Mr Matlala · MR M A T L A L A
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Mr Matlala had no prior dealings or knowledge of Brown Mogotsi before the call after the SAPS raid on his house.
“I can confirm that I came to know of Mr Brown Mogotsi when he called me at the time that the SAPS had raided my house. Prior to this incident, I had no dealings with Brown Mogotsi.”
Brown Mogotsi impersonated being from the office of the Minister of Police to entice Mr Matlala into giving financial assistance.
“Brown Mogotsi impersonated to me that he was from the office of the Minister of Police, and it would appear that he was using this strategy to entice me into giving him financial assistance.”
Brown Mogotsi called Mr Matlala on Sunday after the Friday raid (6 Dec 2024) offering to help open a case against the police.
“he called and he said to me, he is calling from the Office of the Minister. And then he is here to help me to open the case against the police.”
Mr Matlala gave Brown Mogotsi R20,000 for booking accommodation for police experts to investigate the raid, and later R150,000 for an ANC January 8 celebration.
“I gave him that money. I think it was 20,000, I think. ... I paid also 150,000 to his account for that January 8 celebration of the ANC.”
Former Minister Bheki Cele advised Mr Matlala to continue giving money to Brown Mogotsi to lead them to the bottom of the matter.
“the former Minister of Police said to me, you know what? Continue giving this guy money. Maybe if you do that, then, then he will lead us to, because he is saying that he is close with the Minister of Police.”
Mr Matlala did not terminate his relationship with Mr Mogotsi but kept him close on Mr Cele's suggestion despite knowing what Mogotsi was doing, until Matlala's arrest.
“I did not terminate him , I did not terminate the relationship , but he was not , we were not part of the best of buddies because of what he was doing . I knew what he was doing , but because of what Mr Cele said , I just kept him close , so to a day when I eventually got arrested .”
Mr Mogotsi was either using Minister Senzo Mchunu’s name to swindle money from Matlala or working with him while also asking for money on the side; Matlala cannot be 100% sure.
“There is two things here which I cannot be hundred per cent sure . It is either he was using the Minister ' s name , Mr Senzo Mchunu ’ s name to swindle money from me , or he was working with him , but still he was asking money also on the side .”
Matlala gave money to Mogotsi because of Mr Cele's suggestion, not expecting personal benefit.
“I was giving him money because of what Mr Cele suggested .”
Matlala previously conducted business with Mr Morgan Maumela who was a director of CAT VIP protection; the business is under SIU investigation leading to self-incrimination concerns.
“Hangwani Morgan Maumela is my friend and a person who I have previously conducted business with . At a point in time , he was a director of CAT VIP protection .”
Matlala approached Mr Suleiman Karim for funding for Medicare 24 Tshwane, concluded a funding agreement (oral, R50 million loan) with a company belonging to Karim (Tamiz); Matlala has been charged regarding the Medicare SAPS tender and declines further comment to avoid self-incrimination.
“I confirm that I know Suleiman Karim . I previously approached Mr Karim to request for funding for my company Medicare 24 Tshwane . ... I have since been charged with respect to the Medicare SAPS tender”