WATCH | ‘He wanted more money’ – Matlala lifts lid on Cele cash claims

Cat Matlala

Cape Town – Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, currently in prison for the attempted murder of his former partner, testified before Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing alleged political interference and corruption in the justice system.

Speaking from Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre, Matlala detailed two police raids on his Waterkloof Ridge home and company offices in December 2024.

He claimed masked officers — some from the political killings task team — searched for kidnapped businessman Jerry Boshoga, seized firearms, electronics, and personal items, and conducted the raid without a warrant.

Believing the intruders might have been criminals, he later tried to open a case, but police allegedly refused.

Matlala said political operator Oupa Brown Mogotsi contacted him afterward, claiming links to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s office, and later requested money for accommodation for police investigators and ANC January 8 celebrations.

Matlala said he paid between R150,000 and R200,000 but received no follow-up.

He also described a meeting arranged by the late businessman Bongani Mpungose with then police minister Bheki Cele at the Beverly Hills Hotel on 23 December.

Matlala claimed Cele urged him to withdraw a court application against police harassment and intervened with senior officers.

Matlala alleged that Cele misled Parliament about why they met in December and further claimed he handed over a total of R500 000 to Cele in two separate cash payments.

He said that Cele requested and received R500,000 from him in two cash payments — R300,000 in January and R200,000 in March — and used his penthouse accommodation.

“Yes he lied under oath… For me, he was sucking information.

“Why would he even ask me to ask my protectors to take him and his wife to a wedding somewhere in Lanseria,” he said. “It was for his own benefit. I even gave him money,” Matlala said.

Matlala also claimed Cele expected further payments and repeatedly phoned him for money days before his arrest.

“Something said to me that ‘let me just stop taking this guy’s calls’. If you can check on that day I received more than 20 calls. It was on Friday and then next Wednesday that’s when I got arrested.”

Throughout his testimony, Matlala insisted bank records and seized statements would confirm the payments and withdrawals he described.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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