‘It was a freebie!’ – Bheki Cele admits sleeping at alleged cartel boss’ penthouse

Cape Town – Former police minister Bheki Cele admitted to staying at the Pretoria penthouse of alleged “Big Five” cartel member and businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, during testimony before Parliament’s ad hoc committee in Cape Town on Thursday.

Cele recounted first meeting Matlala in December 2024 at Durban’s Beverly Hills Hotel, shortly after a police raid on Matlala’s home.

Matlala reportedly claimed he was being used for “political games” following the awarding of a R360 million SAPS tender.

Cele said he was surprised that Matlala had avoided scrutiny despite serious allegations, including attempted murder.

Although he acknowledged staying twice at Matlala’s luxury penthouse, Cele denied any friendship or business ties, describing the accommodation as a harmless “freebie” since he was no longer a minister.

[WATCH] Cele says the reason he slept at Cat Matlala’s house is not because they are friends or acquaintances. “It is because it was a freebie… and I am not working. I am a pensioner,” he says. He adds that he would have declared this if he were still in government but he’s… pic.twitter.com/7mjRXa41FN

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 23, 2025

When pressed by MPs about the appropriateness of accepting such hospitality, Cele insisted he was “a pensioner” and not in government at the time.

Cele also dismissed claims that he had received money from Matlala after KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi retracted the allegation, admitting the wrong bank account number was used.

The committee, however, maintained that Mkhwanazi must formally revise his statement and may be recalled to testify.