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Former Police Minister Bheki Cele testifying at Parliament’s Ad Hoc committee in Cape Town on October 24, 2025.
Former Police Minister Bheki Cele says that he accepts KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi‘s withdrawal of his statement that he received money from Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, who is accused of attempted murder.
Cele is appearing before Parliament’s Ad Hoc committee that was established to look into allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference in the justice system. These allegations were made by Mkhwanazi in July this year.
On Thursday night, the committee’s Evidence Leader, Adv Norman Arendse read out a message from Mkhwanazi withdrawing the allegation, indicating that the bank account number was incorrect, meaning Cele was not the recipient.
Cele tells MPs that he accepts that Mkhwanazi had made an honest mistake.
He says, “One police officer I like is Mkhwanazi because he knows his work, but Mkhwanazi is a human being with faults. I believe it’s a genuine mistake.”
‘CAT’ MATLALA
Cele also says he did not communicate any expectations to attempted murder suspect Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala. He served as the Police Minister from 2018 to 2024.
Cele says he met Matlala a few times, and he used his penthouse for free.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP, Leigh Ann Mathys, asked him whether Matlala had ever contacted him for favours.
Cele: It has never been said and I never thought so.
Mathys: So you think he was just being nice?
Cele: Yes.
Mathys: So if he comes before us and we ask him about him travelling by road to bring cash to you because he couldn’t fly with that large amount of cash, what would you reaction be?
Cele: I would say I never received cash from him.
LIVE STREAM | Cele appears before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee:
