Illegal firearms found at MaMkhize’s links to ‘Construction Mafia’ and minister’s alleged associate raise questions.
Mathipa Phishego
A stash of 40 illegal firearms found at the opulent home of Shawn “MaMkhize” Mkhize, the owner of the Royal AM football team and a businesswoman, has shocked the nation, raising concerns about her suspected connections to political elites and the criminal underworld.
According to Ian Cameron, chairperson of the Police Portfolio
Committee, the guns have been connected to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a man thought to be a major player in KwaZulu-Natal’s so-called “Construction Mafia”. During a press briefing on Sunday, regional police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi implied that Matlala, who is no stranger to controversy. Was named as an associate of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
Complicating matters further, MaMkhize has previously acknowledged in a video that she worked with members of the
Construction Mafia. A loosely organised organisation that is suspected of extortion, site takeovers, and violent intimidation in the construction industry. A surge of public conjecture has been sparked by this disclosure, which has increased scrutiny on her relationship with Matlala.
“What precisely is their relationship like? Why were Matlala’s guns purportedly kept at her home?” Both MaMkhize and Matlala have said nothing about the situation in spite of growing evidence. Senzo Mchunu, the minister of police, has not yet responded to claims that he
is connected to Matlala.
Citing worries about possible political meddling, activists and opposition members have demanded a thorough independent probe. Cameron stated that the integrity of the police inquiry must be “above reproach” and that “the presence of illegal weapons at a prominent figure’s home, particularly when tied to someone allegedly connected to a sitting minister, demands immediate answers.”
The public’s general dissatisfaction with South Africa’s political,
criminal, and commercial nexus is being exacerbated by this most recent incident. a nation long afflicted by lawlessness and corruption. Important questions like “what is the precise relationship between MaMkhize and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala?” are still unresolved.
Why were Matlala’s firearms purportedly discovered at MaMkhize’s home? Will this lead to genuine responsibility or merely another well-publicized cover-up? The country constantly monitors the course of the investigations, and detractors caution that a lack of decisive action could further
damage public confidence in the political elite and law enforcement.
Image: Deza Newz on X
Caption: Guns lastly found at Umhlanga home of businesswomen Shaun Mkhize
