Letter to Mahlamba Ndlopfu: The Brazilian butt of this joke is on us

Mar 24, 2026 · 980 words · By Bhekisisa Mncube

📰 Original article: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-03-24-letter-to-mahlamba-ndlopf…

Fact-Check Results

“President Cyril Ramaphosa was in Brazil on 9 and 10 March.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm or refute President Cyril Ramaphosa's travel to Brazil on 9 and 10 March.

“The parliamentary inquiry into police capture included testimony linking to a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) subplot.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to verify the parliamentary inquiry included testimony related to a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) subplot.

“Lieutenant General Richard Shibiri, the suspended head of (dis)Organised Crime in the South African Police Service (SAPS), has developed a taste for finer things.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to assess whether Lieutenant General Richard Shibiri developed a taste for finer things.

“Sergeant Fannie Nkosi was described as a useful errand man orbiting power, handling personal and political tasks.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm descriptions of Sergeant Fannie Nkosi as a 'useful errand man orbiting power.'

“Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala was confirmed to have provided at least R70,000 to Lieutenant General Richard Shibiri.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to verify financial transactions between Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala and Lieutenant General Richard Shibiri.

“Sergeant Fannie Nkosi is linked to suspended police general Shadrack Sibiya as both ice boy and go-between for Matlala and Sibiya.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm links between Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, Shadrack Sibiya, Matlala, and the described roles.

“Suleiman Carrim advanced R10-million to Matlala’s Medicare24 Tshwane, claiming it secured a R360-million SAPS health tender.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to verify Suleiman Carrim's financial claims regarding Medicare24 Tshwane and SAPS tender.

“Carrim-linked companies paid more than R12-million, including payments he did not authorize and only discovered at the commission.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm payments by Carrim-linked companies or their authorization status.

“A portion of the money from the tender circus ended up in the hands of Hangwani Maumela, linked to the Tembisa Hospital tender scandal.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to trace financial flows to Hangwani Maumela or link them to the Tembisa Hospital scandal.

“Carrim admitted to paying Maumela at Matlala’s request but struggled to provide an explanation.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to verify Carrim's admissions about payments to Maumela or Matlala's involvement.

“Matlala owed Carrim money but became an ice boy instead of seeking repayment.”

❓ PENDING

“Carrim approached Brown Mogotsi to verify the validity of Matlala’s SAPS tender, relying on him for due diligence.”

❓ PENDING

“R360-million in public tender funds was paid into Carrim’s account, with no contract or paperwork.”

❓ PENDING