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“We are being strong-armed” – Cat Matlala’s lawyers threaten withdrawal from Madlanga Commission
Businessman and alleged kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s appearance before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry descended into fresh uncertainty after his legal team threatened to withdraw from the proceedings amid a dispute over his right against self-incrimination.
Matlala returned to the commission as it sought to continue probing his evidence, but proceedings were dominated by arguments over whether he could be compelled to answer questions that could potentially affect criminal proceedings against him.
His legal representative, Annalene van den Heever, argued that the defence team was constrained by ongoing legal processes and could not simply determine, on the spot, which questions Matlala could safely answer.
“I cannot, at this point, as an officer of the court, distinguish between what we can answer and cannot answer,” Van den Heever told the commission during an earlier dispute over Matlala’s testimony.
The commission, however, rejected a request for a postponement over the self-incrimination issue, triggering a tense exchange that raised the possibility of Matlala being left without his legal team.
Matlala says he was ‘in the dark’ about lawyers’ withdrawal
In a dramatic twist, Matlala himself appeared to distance himself from the immediate decision to withdraw, telling the commission that he had not yet made up his mind.
“So I’m actually in the dark now,” Matlala said, explaining that discussions with his lawyers had not been concluded before proceedings resumed.
“We’ve discussed the options, yes, but I haven’t had the time to make up my own mind.”
The confusion prompted concern from the commission about whether the position being advanced by his legal representatives was indeed Matlala’s final instruction. The dispute was eventually expected to continue after further consultation between the businessman and his lawyers.
Why Cat Matlala’s Madlanga appearance is significant
Matlala’s appearance before the Madlanga Commission is one of the most closely watched developments in the inquiry, which was established to investigate allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system.
The businessman has featured prominently in evidence before the commission and has faced serious allegations about his alleged connections to senior police officers, political figures and an organised criminal network.
Crime Intelligence evidence previously placed Matlala at the centre of allegations involving the so-called “Big Five” cartel, a Gauteng-based criminal syndicate allegedly linked to activities including drug trafficking, hijackings, tender fraud and contract killings. Those allegations remain allegations, and Matlala has denied being part of a criminal cartel.
Matlala has also faced allegations concerning his influence in policing and government contracting, including questions surrounding a lucrative SAPS health services contract awarded to Medicare 24.
His legal team has repeatedly argued that testimony before the commission could have consequences for his separate criminal matters, insisting that the inquiry must take his constitutional protections into account.
A tense history before the commission
The confrontation is not the first time Matlala’s lawyers and the Madlanga Commission have clashed.
Earlier this year, his legal team argued that he could not freely testify because doing so could negatively affect his upcoming corruption trial. Van den Heever told the commission that her client was limited in what he could answer because of legal processes taking place elsewhere.
At one point, she said: “The only issue my client can answer, chairperson, at this point is who he doesn’t know.”
Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga questioned why the commission should have to wait for Matlala’s criminal trial before hearing his evidence, arguing that the underlying facts known to Matlala would not change simply because other legal proceedings were pending.
Commission appearance adds to pressure on embattled businessman
Matlala’s appearance comes as he remains a central figure in several high-profile investigations and legal controversies.
He has been linked in testimony and evidence before the commission to allegations of corruption, political influence and the alleged compromise of elements within law enforcement. The accusations have placed him at the heart of one of the most explosive chapters of the Madlanga Commission, while his own legal team continues to fight to protect him from making potentially incriminating disclosures.
For now, the biggest immediate question is whether Matlala’s lawyers will remain at his side as his evidence continues.
Economy
Kimberley’s Benjie makes history with MasterChef SA win and R1 million prize
Andrew “Benjie” Benjamin has cooked his way into South African television history after being crowned the winner of MasterChef South Africa Season 6.
The 40-year-old home cook from Kimberley in the Northern Cape beat Durban finalist Candice Meth in the tense finale on Sunday, 16 August, walking away with the coveted title and a R1 million cash prize. His victory also made him the first contestant from the Northern Cape to win the competition.
For Benjie, the achievement was about far more than winning a reality television competition.
“I thought I wouldn’t even make it past episode two,” he admitted, crediting his wife for encouraging him to remain in the competition and take it “one episode at a time”.
He said the victory was particularly meaningful because of what it could represent for his family and people from his home province.
“There was a time when I thought that I wouldn’t make it even past episode two,” Benjamin said. “My wife encouraged me to stay on there.”
From high-voltage lines to the MasterChef kitchen
Benjie’s journey is unusual because cooking is not his full-time profession.
The Kimberley-born contestant works in high-voltage electrical line maintenance, dealing with hazardous electricity transmission lines, while cooking has remained a passion outside his day job.
He entered the competition alongside 19 other home cooks and quickly established himself as one of the contestants to watch.
Benjie earned his first Dish of the Day in only the second episode and went on to win seven challenges before reaching the final. One of those victories gave him a valuable 10-minute advantage for the final cook.
Throughout the competition, judges and fellow contestants affectionately nicknamed him “Benjie Baby”.
His playful approach to food also became part of his identity on the show. One of his standout creations was a sophisticated take on two-minute noodles, which he transformed into “Crêpes Suzette Benjette”.
Judge Chef Katlego Mlambo reportedly named it her favourite Benjie dish of the season, while a lamb pie also impressed London-based guest judge Chef Nokx Majozi.
A high-pressure finale
The final challenge saw Benjie go head-to-head with 39-year-old Candice Meth in a two-hour cook-off.
The finalists were tasked with creating a three-course meal that reflected their journeys throughout the competition.
Benjie prepared pan-fried salmon with leeks and white wine sauce as his starter, followed by pork belly with fennel and apple purées, mushy peas and red wine jus.
For dessert, he served meringue, vanilla sponge cake, raspberry coulis, chocolate crème pâtissière and vanilla ice cream.
The pressure was intense, particularly when his decision to bake the apples to intensify their flavour cost him precious time.
But he managed to complete his menu before the clock ran out.
Judges impressed by his final menu
Benjie had already been regarded as a strong contender, but his final performance ultimately convinced the judges that he deserved the title.
Ahead of the final cook, judge Justine Drake described him as a “dark horse”, while Zola Nene called him “laser-focused”.
His final dishes continued to impress.
The judges praised the execution of his salmon, while his pork belly stood out for its balance of flavours.
Nene went as far as describing the main course as something that could be seen “in a fine-dining restaurant”.
That combination of technical ability, creativity and composure ultimately gave Benjie the edge over Meth.
A victory for the Northern Cape
Benjie’s win has also become a source of pride for the Northern Cape, shining a spotlight on the province’s food traditions and homegrown culinary talent.
The new champion hopes his journey will encourage other people from the province to believe in their own abilities.
“We can make great food and compete with the best in the rest of the country,” he said.
He pointed to the diversity of the province, mentioning communities including Roodepan, Springbok, De Aar, Kuruman and the Kalahari as places with their own flavours and cooking traditions.
“Hopefully, my journey gives people the confidence to express themselves in the kitchen, too,” he said.
What’s next for Benjie?
Despite winning R1 million and becoming South Africa’s newest MasterChef, Benjie is not rushing to abandon his career.
He has said he still loves his day job and believes there is room for both his electrical work and his passion for cooking.
“I still love my day job, but there’s a place for both the job and cooking in my life,” he said.
As for his prize money, Benjie has more grounded plans. He wants to make renovations at home and spoil the family members who supported him throughout his journey.
He has also hinted at exploring his love for noodles further, with the possibility of a cookbook centred on the versatile ingredient.
For now, however, Benjie Baby can savour a remarkable achievement – a home cook from Kimberley has conquered one of South Africa’s biggest culinary competitions and brought the MasterChef crown to the Northern Cape for the first time.
MasterChef SA Season 6 in context
The sixth season of MasterChef South Africa premiered in February 2026 and concluded on 16 August after 26 episodes. The competition is built around amateur cooks competing in a series of culinary challenges, with contestants judged on their technical skills, creativity and ability to perform under pressure.
Benjie’s victory therefore represents the culmination of months of competition – and a major milestone for a contestant who entered the kitchen as a passionate home cook and left as South Africa’s latest MasterChef champion.
