Former Police Minister Bheki Cele has revealed before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee that Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala told him that suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu sought funding for his presidential campaign. Cele's testimony adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigations into alleged political interference in police operations, sparked by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's recent accusations of corruption and undue influence within the police service.
Cele described a meeting that took place last year at Durban's upmarket Beverly Hills Hotel, where he met Matlala for the first time. He told the committee that Matlala, who faces various criminal charges, was not known to him in political or community circles prior to their encounter.
"I didn't know him before that meeting. I would normally have heard about such people, especially given my engagements in places like Umlazi, where issues about troublemakers often come up. But Matlala flew under the radar," Cele explained to the committee.
During the meeting, Matlala reportedly raised two key issues with Cele. The first, according to Cele's testimony, was related to Mchunu's alleged desire for Matlala's financial support for a future presidential bid.
"Cat told me that the Minister [Mchunu] wanted to find funds for his project of becoming president, the future president. I didn't get specific details about when or how this conversation between Mchunu and Matlala happened," Cele stated.
Cele explained that while this disclosure did not alarm him, as a senior member of the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC), it was a matter of considerable interest.
The second issue raised by Matlala concerned a police raid on his residence. Cele recounted that Matlala claimed he was targeted by an early morning operation carried out by the Special Task Force, allegedly on false charges related to drugs. Matlala reportedly told Cele that he believed the raid was politically motivated in an attempt to disrupt him.
"He said he was approached by a senior police official, who asked him to write an affidavit against Khumalo — the head of the Political Killings Task Team — to have Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo arrested," Cele testified.
According to Cele, Matlala was hesitant to take the matter to court due to his ongoing contracts with the police. Cele intervened by speaking directly to Khumalo, and eventually, the legal case was dropped following discussions between their representatives.
Cele also denied any prior knowledge of Matlala's contracts with the police, including an alleged R360 million tender.
"I was not told who Matlala was before I met him," Cele said. "I cannot say if that tender is the biggest awarded during my term, but tenders for police vehicles, laboratory services, IT, and ammunition are all significant. I wouldn't say I knew about this specific one."
It is worth noting that during last week's proceedings, Minister Mchunu appeared before the committee and denied ever meeting Matlala. This directly contradicts Cele's testimony, creating a significant discrepancy that the committee will need to address.
The conflicting accounts and the serious allegations of political interference and corruption continue to plague the inquiry. The committee's investigation will be crucial in determining the truth of these claims and ensuring accountability for any wrongdoing. The revelations made by Cele, and the subsequent denial by Mchunu, have further heightened the stakes and underscored the importance of the committee's work. The public awaits the outcome of the inquiry with keen interest, as it has the potential to significantly impact the credibility of the police service and the political landscape of South Africa.
Follow Us on Twitter
