By Akani Nkuna
ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) member Bheki Cele was denied entry to the party’s 5th National General Council on Monday after failing to produce an accreditation card at the venue’s check-in point.
Cele, who appeared agitated, stood alone outside the conference at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg before turning back, according to a witness.
Security personnel instructed him to present his accreditation card, a requirement imposed on delegates attending the meeting.
Cele was later heard speaking with fellow NEC member Mmamoloko Kubayi, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, saying he had submitted his name for accreditation.
The incident comes as Cele, a former police minister, faces renewed public scrutiny following allegations that he accepted bribes from tenderpreneur and attempted murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
The allegations surfaced at Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating claims of political interference in the country’s criminal justice system.
Matlala told the committee that Cele demanded up to 1 million rand in cash for favours, including the return of firearms confiscated from Matlala’s private security firm, and that he delivered about 500,000 rand in shopping bags to Cele.
Cele has denied the allegations, including claims of improper relationships with accused individuals.
It was not immediately clear whether Cele later gained entry to the NGC venue after raising the matter with senior security officials, or whether he left.
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