In a dramatic parliamentary hearing yesterday, former Police Minister Bheki Cele disclosed that he met with a suspected criminal late last year, who subsequently leveled serious but allegedly false corruption allegations against a senior police team.
Cele appeared before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, which is investigating allegations of corruption and interference within the South African Police Service.
The former minister testified that his first-ever meeting with Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala took place in December 2024 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Durban. Cele stated the meeting was arranged by Bongani, the son of a known taxi industry figure referred to as “Sputum,” whom Cele knew from his past role as MEC for Transport.
According to Cele, Matlala expressed his intention to take legal action against Major General Dumisani Khumalo and his team. Matlala alleged that Khumalo’s unit conducted an “unlawful raid” on his property around December 6, 2024.
Cele further revealed that an affidavit, allegedly prepared by National Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, accused Khumalo’s team of stealing a Rolex watch and jewellery belonging to Matlala’s wife during this raid.
However, Cele indicated to the committee that these allegations were untrue. He stated that the matter never proceeded to court and expressed his own uncertainty about whether any meeting between Matlala and Khumalo had actually occurred.
The former minister also provided context, explaining that while he was aware of a notorious criminal figure known as “Keke” from Mamelodi, the community had never raised any issues about Matlala with him prior to this encounter.
These disclosures have added a new layer of complexity to the committee’s investigation, placing a spotlight on the interactions between high-level officials and individuals with alleged ties to criminal activity.
