Mkhwanazi said that on May 14, the political killings task team arrested Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala for three counts of attempted murder. Matlala was awarded a R360m contract from the police in 2024.

“An analysis was conducted on [the] electronic communication of this syndicate. This analysis reveals communication between the arrested Matlala, Mr Brown Mogotsi — an associate of the minister of police — as well as the minister of police, Mr Senzo Mchunu.

“Further analysis of the chats indicates that Matlala is financially supporting the minister of police and Mr Brown Mogotsi’s political endeavours. This is supported by the evidence of conversations and the proof of payments of guests for the January 8 travelling costs and a gala dinner table in Cape Town,” said Mkhwanazi.

The political killings task team was established after the murder of ANC activist Musawenkosi Qashana Mchunu, who was assassinated in Plessislaer in KwaZulu-Natal in May 2018.

“The task team remains operational, albeit attempts to disrupt its work, to protect and serve the inhabitants of the Republic,” Mkhwanazi said.