LIVE | Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala says he paid R500,000 to Bheki Cele for 'helping him'

Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, a name recently synonymous with controversy and crime syndicate infiltration within South Africa’s police service, has testified before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee sitting at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre. Here are the highlights from the first day:

5:00 pm - The Ad Hoc Committee has adjourned and is due to recommence at 10 am on Thursday.

4:30 pm - Matlala says he gave former Police Minister Bheki Cele sums of R300,000 and R200,000. He also accused Cele of lying under oath when he claimed during his October testimony that his relationship with Matlala was based purely on gathering information.

Matlala claims he gave Cele the money because the former Police Minister accused him of not showing appreciation after he’d "helped" him (presumably by getting police off his back following two intense raids on Matlala's property last year).

ALSO READ: A criminal past, a costly tender: Inside ‘Cat’ Matlala’s SAPS testimony

Earlier, Matlala said that during the raid on his business on December 18, 2024, he had called Brown Mogotsi, who had acted as a go-between for investigators.

“Brown Mokgotsi asked for funding for the January 8 ANC celebration on behalf of Minister Senzo Mchunu.”

Matlala said Cele had lied about not knowing him.

He said the former Police Minister had asked if Matlala could arrange security for him to be transported to a wedding in the vicinity of Lanseria.

He also added: “If Minister Cele didn't know me, then how did I end up giving him R300 000 and secondly R200 000?”

Watch below as Matlala explains his relations with the controversial Brown Mogotsi: "I just wanted him to help me".

Reason for his arrest?

During Wednesday’s commission, evidence leader Arendse asked whether Cele had asked for more money. Matlala confirmed that he had, and also said he believed there was a connection between his stopping the payments and his arrest, which took place five days later on May 14.

Earlier in the commission, Matlala claimed former Police Minister Bheki Cele informed him that the harassment would stop if he withdrew the legal action against the officers who had allegedly harassed him. Cele then allegedly made a phone call to Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, in front of Matlala, where he said Matlala was caught in a “Zulu war”. While Matlala still does not know the meaning of this, following the phone call, he was told he could collect his firearms.

Then, following a phone call that Cele made to Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, Matlala was told he could fetch his firearms.

3:20 pm - Matlala said his wife and young kids, aged six to 11, were traumatised by a raid on their house by the task team, as they were forced to lie on the floor with their hands on their heads and with rifles pointed at them.

Matlala said this “heartless act” has had a profound and lasting psychological impact on his entire family.

He said these raids occurred at a time when he was actively pursuing legitimate business contracts, while also facing difficulties with the SAPS regarding the hospital lease on his Medicare 24 contract.

He said he believed these actions were part of a “coordinated effort to harass, intimidate and ultimately derail my business, possibly due to my perceived or alleged association with certain individuals or my involvement in the Medicare contract”.

Watch as Matlala details the events of December 6, 2024, when there was a raid at his Centurion home:

Cat Matlala says police harassed and bruised his wife when they returned to his property for a second time.

3:00 pm - Evidence Leader Arendse questioned Matlala about the December 6 raid on his home conducted by the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), who had suspected he might have been involved in the kidnapping of his friend Jerry Boshoga. Katiso KT Molefe’s home was also raided on that day.

Matlala said men with balaclavas entered his home, causing “kids to scream”. It is alleged they forced him and his wife to lie down, and started asking him questions, and enquired about Jerry’s whereabouts. He said they also harassed his four kids, and took his cellphones and firearms.

Molefe said he tried to open a case against them at the Brooklyn police station the following morning, but this was not allowed as it concerned law enforcement officials. He said he had thought they were criminals due to the balaclavas. They also did not present warrants, he said.

Matlala said there was a second raid at his office on December 18, where firearms were confiscated.

2:00 PM: Evidence Leader Arendse probed Matlala about his relationship with acting National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.

It emerged that his first meeting with Sibiya concerned his dispute over access to the police college facility that he was leasing. Arendse commented that it was odd that he was contacting a national commissioner over a matter such as that.

Matlala has previously accused police of having a corrupt relationship with doctors occupying the clinic at the college.

Matlala said Sibiya had also contacted him in connection with the kidnapping of Matlala’s friend.

1:00 pm: The committee has now paused for a lunch break. Proceedings are expected to continue at 2 pm.

A shackled Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, dressed to the nines in Burberry from head to toe, appeared before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee in a special sitting at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Services Centre. Matlala was supported by his wife, Tsakani, who was in the public gallery. MPs from the MK Party pushed for a delay in proceedings to allow the attempted murder accused to complete his written statement, but other MPs were not having it - insisting he testify orally.

Watch the highlights in the video below:

12:40 pm: Matlala says he can't be held responsible for the SAPS's failure to exercise due diligence on the SAPS R360-million tender contract. The tender contract was awarded to him in 2024.

12:30 pm: Matlala is refusing to answer questions about a R360 million SAPS health services contract that was awarded to his company. Chairperson Soviet Lekganyane confirmed that any information given before the Parliamentary Committee cannot be used against him in subsequent criminal investigations. Arendse then explained that whatever Matlala said before them cannot be used by any outside third party “unless of course you lie, or you said untruths”.

12:10 pm: Evidence leader Norman Arendse questions Matlala about a 2024 lease agreement for a hospital premises at the South African Police Services College. It was alleged that Mahlala had acquired the facility in anticipation of a tender; however, he claims he wanted to use it as an opportunity to render services to students injured during training.

12:00 pm - Matlala was questioned about his relationship with late taxi boss King Mswazi, whose real name is Jotham Zanemvula Msibi. Matlala confirmed that he had provided protection services to Msibi, who is believed to be part of the “Big 5” crime syndicate.

However, Matlala said he did not have a relationship with other alleged Big 5 cartel member KT Molefe, who attended Msibi’s funeral, nor did he provide him with protection services.

11:50 am - Matlala has told the Ad Hoc Committee he has nine children with his wife, Tsakane, and that he supports them all. He told MPs he grew up in Mamelodi East, where he was raised by a single mother. After completing his matric, he traded informally, buying and selling goods, later got convicted for trading in illegal goods. He formally registered a security business in 2017 providing security services to schools, businesses and construction sites.

11:50 am - Matlala has taken his oath in front of the committee and is currently being questioned on his business background by Evidence Leader Norman Arendse.

11:30 am - Committee members are currently arguing over the fact that there isn’t a signed affidavit presented before the committee. Only a draft statement has been provided, and Evidence Leader Norman Arendse believes this is sufficient. It is expected to be signed today.

11:10 am - Matlala has appeared before the committee and is currently seated. Members of the media have been given 10 minutes to take pictures.

Vusimuzi Matlala’s wife, Tsakane Matlala, is at Kgosi Mampuru supporting her husband as he testifies about his alleged role in capturing the country’s law enforcement agencies.

11:00 am - The hearing marks a landmark moment in the Ad Hoc Committee’s investigation into allegations of systemic corruption and criminal networks penetrating law enforcement.

Matlala, nicknamed the ‘John Wick of Mamelodi’ and allegedly the leader of the notorious cartel known as “The Big Five,” has been held in custody since his arrest in April. 

Facing multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit murder and involvement in a R2-billion fraud scandal linked to Tembisa Hospital, Matlala’s testimony is considered one of the most anticipated so far in this sweeping investigation.

The committee was established in October following explosive claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. 

Mkhwanazi accused senior police officials and politicians of deliberately undermining police operations to protect drug cartels and criminal networks connected to politically motivated killings.

On July 6, Mkhwanazi alleged that suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu disbanded the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) on December 31, 2024, allegedly to shield Matlala and other criminals with political connections. 

This hearing will notably include Matlala’s own account amid these serious allegations, including claims that he captured and controlled the police service's procurement services.

Ahead of the session, Matlala’s legal team sought a last-minute postponement, citing his deteriorating health and lack of sufficient time to prepare due to his ongoing detention. 

His lead attorney, Matlhatsi Abram Madira, described reviewing the extensive documentation necessary for the defence as “virtually impossible,” adding, “Consulting with Mr Matlala has become an absolute nightmare in prison.”

Despite these hurdles, Ad Hoc Committee chair Soviet Lekganyane confirmed the hearing will proceed as planned. 

“We have made special arrangements at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre to accommodate Mr Matlala’s confinement status and ensure he can testify,” Lekganyane said.

Matlala’s testimony is expected to provide pivotal insight into the financial and operational structures underlying the alleged crime syndicate’s infiltration of the police service. 

As this investigation reaches a critical juncture, the nation watches closely, awaiting answers that could expose the depths of corruption within one of South Africa’s key institutions.

thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za

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