Bheki Cele Details His Relationship With Cat Matlala: “It Scared Me”

• Former police minister Bheki Cele continued his testimony when he appeared before the Ad Hoc Committee
• The committee was set up to investigate the alleged infiltration of the criminal justice system
• Cele detailed how he met controversial businessman Hangwani Maumela and provided details of a meeting between him, Maumela, and attempted murder-accused Vusimuzi "Cat" 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 — The former Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, provided insight into the relationship that he had with businessman Hangwani Maumela. He also shared details of a meeting with Maumela and attempted murder-accused Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala.

Cele continued his testimony before the Ad Hoc Committee in Parliament on 23 October 2025 in the Western Cape. Cele faced questions from Members of Parliament as the Committee sought to investigate allegations of corruption in the criminal justice system.

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Cele discusses meeting with Matlala

Cele said that he met Matlala at Maumela's house in Zimbali Estate in KwaZulu-Natal. He said that he was stunned when he saw Matlala's security team. Cele said that Matlala told him that he recruited 23 of his bodyguards from the South African National Defence Force's Special Task Force. Cele said that he was stunned.

He said what scared him was that he had spoken to the Provincial Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who told him that the South African Police Service has lost 56 Special Task Force members to the taxi industry.

"It scared me," he said.

Cele said that it is worrying that more members of the police were being lost to the private security industry and called for this to be corrected.

"It would be a serious battle if 23 members of the police's task force went up against the 56 men in the taxi industry," he said.

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What you need to know about Bheki Cele

• Cele had a meeting with Cat Matlala at Hangwani Maumela's house on 18 March 2025 at Maumela's Zimbali house
• Mkhwanazi testified before the Ad Hoc Committee that Cele did not support the PKTT in a similar way to supporting a football team
• Cele testified that the South African Police Service stopped FIFA from taking the World Cup from the country by calming their crime fears
• Cele also said that South Africa's biggest crimes are planned in prison and noted that there are other issues of corruption with the judges and the correctional services
• Cele also disagreed with how Police Minister Senzo Mchunu disbanded the Political Killings Task Team, saying he did not follow proper procedure

Cele says Mchunu sought funding from Matlala

In a related article, Briefly News reported that Cele alleged that Mchunu sought funding for his political ambitions from Matlala. He spoke during his testimony before the Ad Hoc Committee.

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Bheki Cele says Senzo Mchunu sought funding from Vusimuzi Matlala for presidential bid

Cele testified about the links between Mchunu and Matlala. He said Matlala told him that Mchunu wanted funds for his project of becoming president.

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

Source: Briefly News