Cele, Matlala secret meeting: ‘There is certainly a proximity between them’ – Jeff Wicks, News 24

KG

Keely Goodall

11 September 2025 | 11:44

Former Police Minister Bheki Cele held a secret meeting with tender boss Vusimusi ‘Cat’ Matlala in March.

Cele, Matlala secret meeting: ‘There is certainly a proximity between them’ – Jeff Wicks, News 24

Vusimuzi Matlala appeared at the Alexandra Magistrates Court on 08 September 2025 for attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder against his socialite girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN.

On 18 March, Minister Bheki Cele met with Vusimusi ‘Cat’ Matlala at a Zimbali Villa owned by Morgan Maumela.

Weeks later, Matlala’s R360 million health contract with SAPS was cancelled after being flagged for fraud.

Maumela is also a controversial figure who has been linked to 21 companies that got R380 million from Tembisa Hospital contracts.

Wicks says this shows Cele’s proximity to Matlala, who is in court facing numerous charges and is framed as an underworld figure.

RELATED: How is Vusi ‘Cat’ Matlala linked to the police corruption allegations?

“What is curious to us is that Cele was able to strike up at least a relationship and at most a friendship with Matlala… there is certainly a proximity between these two men.”
- Jeff Wicks, investigative journalist - News24

Read the full report by Wicks on News24.

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