Bheki Cele Says Cyril Ramaphosa Took a Picture With Cat Matlala

• The former Police Minister, Bheki Cele, testified at the Ad Hoc committee, which is investigating alleged corruption in the criminal justice system
• He responded to questions about the relationship between the attempted murder-accused Cat Matlala and politicians
• Cele mentioned that President Cyril Ramaphosa allegedly once took a picture with Matlala

With 10 years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of the Current Affairs desk, South Africa, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics, commissions of inquiry, and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.

PARLIAMENT, WESTERN CAPE — Former Police Minister Bheki Cele alleged that President Cyril Ramaphosa took a picture with attempted murder-accused Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala.

Cele was testifying at the Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate alleged corruption in the criminal justice system. Cele faced questions from members of Parliament about his association with Matlala. The African National Congress's Chief Whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli, asked Cele if he did not think his association with Matlala was contributing to the diminishing of the ANC.

Read also

Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale said PKTT disbandment was unusual

Cele mentions Ramaphosa

Cele defended himself. He said that when he met Matlala, he was not arrested. He said he did not know that Matlala was wanted. He said that many leaders of the party have been seen with Matlala. He then mentioned that even Ramaphosa took a picture with Matlala. He said the picture is public. He repeated that he would not have associated himself with Matlala had he known what he knew at present.

Cele testified before the Ad Hoc Committee in Parliament following the testimony of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and top cops, including National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, and Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya.

What you need to know about Bheki Cele

• Bheki Cele testified at the Ad Hoc Committee that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu did not follow procedure when he disbanded the Political Killings Task Team
• Cele remarked that some of South Africa's biggest crimes are planned in prison and urged that the police should investigate these crimes
• Cele also shared details about a meeting he had with Matlala at the house of Hangwani Maumela and described Matlala's security team, which included former special task force members of the army
• Cele disclosed how the South African Police Service convinced FIFA to allow South Africa to host the World Cup by calming their fears of crime
• General Mkhwanazi withdrew his statements that he made about Cele and apologised for accusing him of receiving money from Matlala

Read also

SAPS fears Vusimuzi Matlala's release could have endangered lives, SA questions KT Molefe’s bail

Bheki Cele says Mchunu received money from Matlala

In a related article, Briefly News reported that Cele alleged that Mchunu sought funding from Matlala for his political ambitions. He said that Mchunu had aimed to be the president of South Africa.

Cele said that he met Matlala in December 2024 at an upmarket hotel in Durban. Matlala mentioned that Mchunu wanted to find funds for his project of being the future president. This was despite Mchunu denying having any relationship with Matlala.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News