Dr. Gwen Ramokgopa denies allegations linking her to Vusimuzi Matlala

The African National Congress (ANC) Treasurer General, Dr. Gwen Ramokgopa, has vehemently denied allegations connecting her to controversial figure Vusimuzi Matlala.

Recent social media claims circulating suggested that there was an untoward relationship between Ramokgopa and Matlala, which included purported claims of her being a beneficiary of his alleged "largesse and illicit funds.

"In a decisive response, Ramokgopa branded these insinuations as a deliberate smear campaign aimed at damaging her reputation and that of the ANC.

Defending herself against a barrage of allegations, Ramokgopa urged the public to scrutinise and question the motives behind the faceless narratives targeting her and the Progressive Business Forum (PBF), which she chairs.

In an effort to uphold her integrity and that of the ANC, Ramokgopa announced that the PBF had engaged Tayfin Forensic Auditors to conduct a thorough investigation into the origins of the disinformation.

Their findings, released on Friday, 10 October 2025, categorically stated that the claims propagated on social media were "faceless, false, and malicious," with no substantive evidence linking Ramokgopa or the PBF to any illegal activities.

The PBF's report further clarified that they had not received any ill-gotten funds, asserting that any such information would be handed over to law enforcement agencies for investigation.

Ramokgopa also made it known that the forum plans to pursue legal action against those responsible for disseminating the falsehoods.“Our commitment is to a transparent and democratic South Africa,” she affirmed.

Matlala, facing scrutiny himself, has been embroiled in various controversies, including the irregular awarding of a contract to his company, Medicare24, by the Tshwane District Police Service, which was subsequently cancelled.

His dubious reputation has amplified concerns regarding his connections and dealings, consequently placing Ramokgopa under undue suspicion.

Addressing the media, Ramokgopa expressed her frustration with the intentional disinformation campaigns designed to disrupt the ANC's renewal agenda."Some narratives suggest that I am working with Matlala and his associate Secretary-General, which is false," she stated, reinforcing her commitment to collaborative governance.

During this delicate period, she underscored the necessity for unity among ANC officials as they prepared for crucial party events, such as the National General Council (NGC) and upcoming elections.

In her conclusion, Ramokgopa highlighted the importance of vigilance against social media threats, revealing that some accounts responsible for spreading false narratives had been cloned or misused.

While one of the legitimate accounts initially linked to her has since issued a retraction after receiving a letter of demand, Ramokgopa noted that processes are in place to trace the sources of these malicious attacks.