Pretoria – Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, whose name has become synonymous with controversy and allegations of crime syndicate influence within South Africa’s police service, appeared before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre, giving a dramatic first day of testimony.
Matlala claimed he gave former Police Minister Bheki Cele two sums of money, R300,000 and R200,000. Matlala also accused Cele of lying under oath during his October testimony, in which he said his relationship with Matlala was purely for gathering information.
According to Matlala, he provided the payments because Cele had accused him of failing to show appreciation for assistance the minister had allegedly given him.
He also described events surrounding the raid on his business on December 18, 2024. Matlala said he contacted Brown Mogotsi, who acted as a go-between for investigators. “Brown Mogotsi asked for funding for the January 8 ANC celebration on behalf of Minister Senzo Mchunu,” Matlala told the committee.
Matlala further challenged Cele’s claims that he did not know him, saying the former minister had requested that Matlala arrange security for him to attend a wedding near Lanseria.
“If Minister Cele didn’t know me, then how did I end up giving him R300,000 and secondly R200,000?” he asked.
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