RC 261112Kaya 959Phemelo Motene
Thursday, 12 November 2026
Vusimuzi Matlala's testimony at the Madlanga Commission dominated the week, alongside the Mapisa-Nqakula trial, Tatiana Smith's switch to the Netherlands, and a judge's racial-remarks tribunal.
- 20:04
Vusimuzi Matlala testified that he paid former police minister Bheki Cele R500,000 in cash to help recover his confiscated firearms, calling Cele's demands pure greed.
- 20:11
Under questioning, Matlala denied knowing what was in the boxes he forwarded on WhatsApp, saying he had simply forwarded it to others and never tested the product.
- 20:18
Former speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula finished cross-examination at the Pretoria High Court, where prosecutors pressed her over claims she solicited millions from a defence contractor and denied receiving money.
- 20:22
Swimmer Tatiana Smith, a four-time Olympic medallist, will now represent the Netherlands, citing financial and practical challenges that made her previous career difficult to sustain.
- 20:29
Judge Belinda Hartley admits swearing at a court clerk but denies the racial slur alleged; the Judicial Conduct Tribunal must decide whether racism was proven, which would make her liable to impeachment.