The City of Ekurhuleni has announced that it has formally requested the Public Protector South Africa to conduct an independent investigation into an allegedly irregular R3.7 million tender awarded to the wife of suspected crime boss Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.
The move follows allegations presented before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that Matlala’s wife received millions of rand from the metro after her company, Buena Vista Learning Academy, was appointed three years ago to provide municipal employees with various qualifications and skills development programmes on an as-and-when-required basis until 30 June 2026.
Evidence submitted to the commission further suggests that, at the time of bidding, the company was allegedly not registered as a skills development provider authorised to implement the required professional qualification programmes.
Shortly before submitting its bid, it had reportedly been operating as a local shisanyama business. Ekurhuleni head of communications Phakamile Mbengashe confirmed that city manager Kagiso Lerutla had referred the human resources training tender, for the appointment of accredited skills development providers, to Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka for investigation.
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“The referral follows prima facie evidence presented at the Madlanga Commission and subsequent media reports raising serious concerns about the appointment of Buena Vista Learning Academy as an accredited skills development provider,” Mbengashe said in a statement.
He said the allegations under scrutiny include discrepancies in the company’s registration history, questions around its training accreditations and subcontracting arrangements, possible misrepresentation of its financial and VAT status, and the disbursement of approximately R3.4m in Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) grant funding.
“The bid was founded on specific, critical and indispensable requirements that evidence suggests may have been overlooked or intentionally misrepresented,” he said.
In parallel, the city manager has instituted a comprehensive internal investigation led by the Internal Audit Division to review the supply chain management and human resources processes linked to the transaction.
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Mbengashe said the referral was made in terms of the Public Protector Act 23 of 1994 to ensure independent oversight and full transparency.
While the Internal Audit Division will assess municipal compliance, the Public Protector is empowered to investigate any alleged maladministration, improper conduct or unlawful enrichment.
The city said it remains fully committed to cooperating with the commission and will continue to assist its processes transparently.
It added that it will monitor and document all allegations of corruption and maladministration raised before the commission and, where necessary, institute swift investigations and enforce appropriate consequence management measures should wrongdoing be established.
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