WATCH | ‘I pay them R100K each’: Matlala lifts lid on cost of his elite bodyguards

Pretoria – Tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala told Parliament’s ad hoc committee on Thursday that he pays each of his 12–14 bodyguards R100,000 per month, totalling about R2 million monthly for his private security.

Testifying at Kgosi Mampuru prison, Matlala said many of his protectors are former task force and special forces members now working for his company, Cat VIP Protection.

“I paid them R100K a month each,” Matlala told the committee

[WATCH] ‘Cat’ Matlala says he was/is paying his personal protectors who are former SANDF special force members R100 000 monthly salary each. Former minister Bheki Cele told the ad hoc committee that
Matlala had over 20 ex-special task force members in his security detail.… pic.twitter.com/mk2c40OCnv

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 27, 2025

EFF leader Julius Malema slammed the arrangement as “paramilitary”.

“It’s not VIP protection to have such dangerous, highest form of security in the country.”

Matlala also disclosed that all 14 guards once accompanied him to Durban to deliver R200,000 cash to former police minister Bheki Cele, whom he says is the only politician he has ever protected.

Pressed on how he funds this lifestyle, Matlala insisted his income comes from his “legitimate” business ventures.

WATCH | Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala says the reasons he’s surrounded by bodyguards is to advertise his business and not necessarily for protection. pic.twitter.com/6t7PsKwniR

— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 27, 2025