Johannesburg, 23 January 2026 – Tensions are boiling over in Gauteng’s political circles as ANC stalwart Julius Mkhwanazi levels explosive allegations against rival Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, accusing him of hypocrisy amid claims of financial desperation.
In a candid interview with Community Voice News, Mkhwanazi didn’t hold back: “Vusimuzi Cat Matlala used to ask money for petrol from me when he doesn’t have money.” The revelation paints a stark picture of Matlala, a rising star in local ANC branches and self-proclaimed champion of the working class, relying on personal loans from peers during lean times.
Mkhwanazi, a veteran community organizer from Soweto with decades in the struggle, says the incidents occurred frequently between 2022 and 2024, when Matlala was climbing the ranks. “He’d pull up at my gate, tank empty, promising to pay back next week. This from a man now preaching fiscal discipline to council budgets worth millions,” Mkhwanazi fumed. Sources close to the pair confirm Matlala repaid some debts but often cited “party duties” as excuses for delays.
The feud erupts as Matlala campaigns for a key ward councillor position in the upcoming mid-term elections, touting anti-corruption credentials. Critics, including Mkhwanazi, question his credibility, linking the petrol pleas to broader concerns over Matlala’s opaque funding for flashy campaign rallies. “How does a ‘broke’ comrade afford those SUVs now?” Mkhwanazi quipped.
Matlala dismissed the claims as “smear tactics from a sore loser,” insisting personal loans are common in township solidarity networks. “I’ve lifted many, including Julius, during tough times,” he retorted via WhatsApp.
This spat underscores deepening rifts within the ANC ahead of primaries, with residents demanding accountability. As one Soweto elder put it, “Politics is for servants, not beggars.” Will Matlala’s past catch up? Voters decide soon