TOP QUOTES | ‘Matlala told me he was funding Mchunu’s campaign, I am not his friend’ — Bheki Cele

Bheki Cele’s appearance before the Parliamentary ad-hoc committee delivered political intrigue, alleged fundraising deals and uneasy alliances straight out of a thriller.

These are the key quotes from his explosive testimony about businessman “Cat” Matlala, Senzo Mchunu and claims of secret campaign funding:

1. Former Police Minister Bheki Cele testified that he first met controversial businessman “Cat” Matlala in December 2024, shortly after a raid on Matlala’s home. He said the meeting was arranged by Bongani “Mabonga” Mpungose at Durban’s Beverly Hills Hotel and that he had not previously known Matlala despite his prominence in Mamelodi.

Cele said Matlala arrived wanting to discuss two matters: alleged political fundraising and the December raid. According to Cele, Matlala claimed he and businessman Brown Mogotsi had met Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu and were asked to help fund Mchunu’s political ambitions.

“He has got money through the tender… him to fund his project of becoming either a president or deputy president,”Cele quoted Matlala as saying.

1. What alarmed Matlala, Cele testified, was being told the arrangement would only work “so long [as] we don’t come close to Cele and Zuma.” This reportedly prompted Matlala to reach out to Cele, believing he was being “used for political games.”
2. Matlala also complained about the raid on his property. Cele said Matlala suspected the Special Task Force had been involved and accused police of stealing luxury items, including a Rolex watch. Cele acknowledged intervening, saying he spoke to Lieutenant-General Khumalo in an effort to resolve the issue without litigation.

“I wish I could not have met him, but now I have,” he told MPs.

1. Despite Matlala’s controversial reputation in media reports linked to the Tembisa Hospital scandal, Cele defended meeting him, arguing that security work sometimes requires engaging with questionable figures to prevent violence or gather intelligence. “If you work in security, you can’t say, ‘I can’t meet you,’ because that information could be the lifesaver of many other things,” he said.

1. Cele confirmed several follow-up meetings took place, largely focused on Matlala bringing him sensitive information involving Khumalo and alleged plans by Mchunu to have Cele arrested over claims dating back to 2010 World Cup corruption investigations. Cele said he was particularly disturbed to learn that Matlala had reportedly recruited former Special Task Force members into his private security. “We’re increasing the capabilities of private security versus the state,” he warned.
2. Cele closed that Khumalo remains “one cop that I’ll protect,” insisting that attempts to target him could harm the wider police service. “There are those people that I will protect, knowing how much they contribute to the proper working of the organisation.”