‘I paid Cele R500,000’: Matlala accuses ex-minister of lying under oath

By Johnathan Paoli

Alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala testified on Wednesday that former police minister Bheki Cele lied under oath when he appeared before Parliament’s ad hoc committee.

Matlala also told the committee he paid Cele R300,000 at his apartment in January 2025 and a further R200,000 at a hotel in March.

He said the payments were meant to thank Cele for assisting in the return of his seized firearms and easing police pressure on his properties.

“I made an initial payment of R300,000 in cash to former Minister Cele at my residence in Pretoria, around January. I handed over the money while he was inside my apartment,” said, quoting his draft statement to the ad hoc committee.

“This was after he told me they needed gratification, which he called a “facilitation fee,” related to his role in returning my firearms and stopping the harassment. He also implied that