By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former police minister Bheki Cele testified at the Parliament Ad Hoc Committee, marking the first time he officially and publicly discusses the policing crisis.
The committee is investigating allegations that criminals have infiltrated South Africa’s law enforcement, politics and private businesses.
Parliament’s ad hoc committee is running parallel to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating the same accusations of criminal infiltration into law enforcement.
Cele on Thursday told MPs he first met alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala at Durban’s Beverly Hills Hotel through Bongani “Mabonga” Mpungose, the son of a taxi industry figure.
According to Cele’s testimony, Matlala told him that now-suspended Deputy National Commissioner of Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya, wanted him to write an affidavit against Dumisani Khumalo, who headed Crime Intelligence.
Matlala had told him that he was told to write the affidavit by Sibiya claiming that Khumalo had stolen his Rolex and jewellery of his wife.
Cele said Matlala had indicated that he did not want to take on the police because he had a tender with them and did not want to harm their relationship.
Khumalo, along with six colleagues, was arrested earlier this year. They face charges, which they have denied, over an irregular appointment.
Asked about KZN commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s accusations, Cele pointed out: “General Mkhwanazi is not the first one to make this allegation.”
Mkhwanazi made allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system.
He then referenced an October 2022 Western Cape Division of the High Court judgment used in a gang-related case. (Read the judgment here.)
It was by Judge Daniel Thulare.
Cele read out a section of the judgment that says: “The evidence further shows that the 28s gang and the Mobsters in particular are breathing heavily on the necks of public prosecutors who guide the investigation of organised crime and institute criminal proceedings against its members.
He was appointed national police commissioner in 2009, under Jacob Zuma’s presidency.
He was suspended in 2011 and fired the following year over corruption suspicions relating to lease deals and business tycoon Roux Shabangu.
Shortly before that, though, Cele became police minister.
He filled this position from February 2018 to June 2024, whereafter Senzo Mchunu took over before being placed on special leave in July this year because of the accusations against him.
Throughout his testimony on Thursday morning and early afternoon, Cele took swipes at Mchunu.
After lunch, Evidence leader Norman Arendse read a message from Mkhwanazi apologising to Cele for allegations he made against him, which he says were subsequently found not to be true.
He was referring to the allegations that Cele has been directly linked to a suspicious money transfer involving Matlala, as revealed in testimony in his testimony before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee.
He told MPs that Cele sent Matlala a bank account number—not in Cele’s name—and Matlala then deposited money into that account.
He later sent proof of payment to Cele, who acknowledged receipt.
“This is not about phone calls. It’s about money. It’s criminal,” said Mkhwanazi. The communication dates back to 2024. We are tracking where the money went after the deposit—whether it returned to Cele or reached someone else.”
The revelation suggested a possible laundering operation involving high-level SAPS figures and organised crime syndicates.
Cele is not alone. Mchunu and Sibiya are also implicated in what Mkhwanazi described as a network of SAPS-linked cartels.
In response the MPs told the evidence leader that Mkhwanazi should to amend his statement in writing and he must be called to account and apologise to the house including the South Africans.
Cele confirmed that he had twice stayed at Matlala’s penthouse in Pretoria, on his invitation.
While answering questions from MPs, Cele said he was fine with accepting hospitality.
He explained: “I’m not in government. If in government, I would have declared, but I declare to nobody now.”
Cele also testified about how he once met up with Matlala at Zimbali Estate in Durban – at a residence he says he realised only later belonged to Hangwani Maumela.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has linked Maumela to one of several syndicates involved in looting to the tune of R2-billion at Gauteng’s Tembisa Hospital.
In a statement issued last month, the SIU said it was investigating issues involving about R816-million “related to the Maumela syndicate and has completed 924 analyses, uncovering significant irregularities”.
It also said it had traced 41 service providers linked to Maumela and that three companies awarded contracts involving about R13.5-million were linked to Matlala.
Watch Live in the video below:
Video Courtesy of Parliament.