MATLALA ALLEGES R500,000 PAYOUT TO CELE

Fri 28 November 2025:

Businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala claims he paid the former police minister for protection and assistance with a police tender.

Controversial businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala has alleged he paid former police minister Bheki Cele R500,000. Matlala made the explosive claims while testifying from prison this week.

He appeared before a parliamentary ad hoc committee on Wednesday and Thursday. The committee is investigating corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Matlala is currently detained at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility in Pretoria. He is awaiting trial on serious charges, including attempted murder, fraud, and conspiracy to commit murder. His testimony is a key part of the committee’s probe.

The inquiry was formed in October last year following accusations that a criminal cartel had infiltrated police and political structures.

Matlala told the committee that Cele demanded the money as a gesture of appreciation after Cele helped him. Matlala claimed Cele assisted him after raids on his properties in December 2024.

He testified that he initially paid R300,000 in cash. This was followed by another R200,000 payment at a later date. According to Matlala, the initial demand from Cele was for R1 million.

The businessman alleged the payments were delivered in a shopping bag. He also claimed Cele had stayed at his Pretoria apartment on multiple occasions. During his testimony, Matlala accused Cele of lying under oath about their relationship.

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Tender and corruption claims

Matlala also detailed a meeting with KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. He said Cele arranged this meeting in Umhlanga in April. The purpose was to discuss a R360 million police tender. Matlala’s company, Medicare24, was not receiving purchase orders for the contract. He felt the contract was being sabotaged.

During the meeting, Matlala felt it was implied he needed to pay a bribe to ensure his contract was processed smoothly. He told the committee this “reeked of corruption”.

The businessman also alleged he paid for flights and accommodation for people linked to suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s political campaign. He claimed this cost between R150,000 and R200,000. This was allegedly done through a middleman, as Matlala says he has never met Mchunu.

The parliamentary committee’s hearing with Matlala is set to continue. His testimony is expected to cover alleged political interference in SAPS operations and corrupt relationships between senior police leaders and criminals.