By Johnathan Paoli
Former Police Minister Bheki Cele faced a bruising night in front of Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing corruption and political interference in SAPS on Thursday, fending off allegations that he fraternised with attempted murder-accused tenderpreneur Vusimusi ‘Cat’ Matlala, meddled in internal police affairs, and failed to act against officials implicated in wrongdoing.
Evidence leader Advocate Norman Arendse opened the afternoon session — which ended up running late into Thursday night — by confronting Cele over his relationship with Matlala, citing meetings at Durban’s Beverly Hills Hotel and Zimbali Estate, as well as reports that Cele had stayed twice at Matlala’s Pretoria penthouse.
Cele admitted to attending the 2024 Umhlanga meeting, arranged by an associate named “Mabongwa”, but denied knowing Matlala personally at the time.
Pressed on whether he knew of Matlala’s company securing a since-cancelled R360 million police health services tender, Cele replied: “Ministers don’t sign tenders. I read about it in the media.”
He said his meetings with Matlala were “to hear his side, not to influence investigations”.
Arendse suggested Matlala had tried to draw Cele into a conspiracy by discouraging Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo from investigating criminal allegations made against Matlala.
Cele denied this: “My angle was Khumalo, not the raid on Matlala.” He insisted his only intervention was to ensure Khumalo was not unfairly targeted.
The session briefly turned to the withdrawal of allegations by KwaZulu-Natal’s police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who had previously accused Cele of benefiting from a suspicious transfer linked to Matlala.
Mkhwanazi has since apologised and admitted his claim was incorrect.
The committee unanimously agreed Mkhwanazi must formally withdraw the statement in writing and issue a public apology, as well as appear before the committee again.
African National Congress (ANC) MP Thokozile Sokanyile questioned Cele about a letter of complaint involving suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, from when he worked for the City of Johannesburg as the head of its anti-corruption unit.
Cele said he could not recall such correspondence and dismissed it as “pathetic,” stressing that Sibiya had been cleared by the mayor, State Security Agency, and the Labour Court into any allegations of wrongdoing when at the city.
“Definitely there will be a concern, but he was cleared through proper channels,” Cele said.
Sokanyile then asked whether Matlala was a friend or acquaintance.
The former minister said their contact ceased after Matlala’s arrest and denied influencing police operations.
ANC MP Xola Nqola pressed about Cele’s relationship with his since-suspended successor, Senzo Mchunu, and claims that Cele “ruled from the grave”.
Cele denied political interference in SAPS, adding that he and Mchunu were “on the same side politically” but “had differences”.
uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK) MP Sibonelo Nomvalo focused on whether the state apparatus was weaponised for factional ANC battles.
Cele acknowledged it “would be a danger,” but said he had “no evidence” of such abuse.
Nomvalo accused him of “recklessly intervening” to protect Lieutenant-General Khumalo.
Cele countered: “I couldn’t allow Khumalo to be made a scapegoat. I told Matlala to speak directly to Khumalo.”
Pressed about accepting accommodation at Matlala’s Pretoria apartment, Cele said: “I’m in Pretoria; I’m not going to pay. It was a freebie, and I’m a pensioner.”
Asked about links to the taxi industry, Cele listed several figures he had engaged with “to solve problems,” including Mandla Gcaba and Jothan “King Mswazi” Msibi.
Nomvalo also asked whether Cele had seen Facebook posts by whistle-blower Patricia Mashale alleging abuse of secret intelligence funds.
Cele said he had not, and that if he had, he would have referred it to the Inspector-General of Intelligence.
MKP MP Vusi Shongwe questioned Cele about Sibiya’s alleged ties to spy equipment and tender dealings.
Cele denied involvement in procurement and said Sibiya had been cleared by multiple authorities.
He also confirmed Matlala told him that Mchunu had asked for funding for a presidential campaign.
Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Ian Cameron accused Cele of portraying all allegations as politically motivated.
Cameron challenged Cele’s frequent calls to Matlala, saying it was “not normal to phone an acquaintance 10 times a day”.
Cele reiterated that he stayed in Matlala’s house because “it was free”.
Cameron asked whether Cele had Googled Matlala before meeting him.
Quipped Cele: “Googling is not intelligence work.”
He reiterated that ministers “don’t sign tenders,” and defended his tenure, blaming former police commissioner Riah Phiyega for “destroying SAPS”.
Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) MP Albert Mncwango praised Cele for being “eloquent,” but asked whether the PKTT’s disbandment was political interference.
Cele said it was wrong but “not interference,” noting that ministers should “stay in their lane”.
ActionSA MP Dereleen James closed the session by warning that “a house divided against itself cannot stand”.
She asked whether Mchunu was a comrade or associate.
“He is my comrade,” Cele replied.
James probed his repeated calls to Matlala and asked if he would hand over his phone for investigation purposes.
Cele said he was willing, but “only for information concerning Matlala”.
The EFF will be questioning Cele when the sitting resumes on Friday morning.
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