By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a controversial businessman and organized crime lord, had made some bold statements by alleging that Bheki Cele who once served as South Africa’s Police Minister, had once requested R500,000 from Matlala.
Matlala made these claims during his testimony before the Ad Hoc Committee Kgosi Mampuru Prison in Pretoria as Matlala’s legal team had failed to secure that his hearing be postponed. Matlala is currently facing charges related to murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and fraud.
He is accused of conspiring to kill his girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, who is a known actress and personality. These allegations come after incidents occurring between 12 and 17 December 2023.
“I heard my kids screaming. I saw guys wearing balaclava’s approaching the main bedroom. When they got inside the main bedroom, they said I must lie down, and when I saw the kids, they made them lie down and put their hands behind their heads.” said Matlala as he recounted a raid in his home in Waterkloof,Pretoria back in December 2024 which also started the relationship he had with several high level police officials, who include suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and former Police Minister Bheki Cele.
“They took my cellphones and asked me questions, ‘Where is Jerry?’ They asked me whether I knew (Shadrack) Sibiya, (Feroz) Khan, Mchunu. They took a long time asking me about SAPS officials.” continued Matlala. Jerry Bashoga, who serves as a business associate of Matlala was kidnapped on 18 November as police believed that Matlala was involved in said kidnapping, according to testimonies in the Madlanga inquiry.
When his house was raided on 6 December 2024, the police had found evidence of Matlala being involved in the kidnapping as Boshoga still remains missing. Matlala also claims that Cele helped recover all the weapons that were taken during the raid in exchange for R500,000.
“ I made an initial payment of R300,000 in cash to former Minister Cele at my residence in Pretoria, around January. I handed over the money while he was inside my apartment. This was after they told they needed gratification, which he called ‘facilitation fee’, related to his role in returning my firearms and stopping the harassment.
He also implied that he was not acting alone, which explained why such a large amount was required.” said Matlala during his testimony he later added that he had also paid R200,000 to Cele in March 2025 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Cele had stated in his testimony last month that he knew Matlala well as they met in December 2024, and expressed that their relationship was purely based on gathering information.
EFF leader Julius Malema had asked Matlala if he was suggesting that Cele had ‘misled’ parliament with his testimony to which Matlala had confirmed that Cele was lying under oath.
“Yes, he lied under oath. If he was asking for me he was sucking information” said Matlala in response. Matlala also highlighted that he had paid for flights and accommodation for individuals who were linked to advancing Mchunu’s ANC presidential campaign as they held celebrations on January 8 in Cape Town this year.
Matlala’s testimony will continue until Friday as it is related to the disbandment of Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) that may have been disbanded unlawfully according to claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in a press conference in July 2025.