'NOT SO WELL' Cele retracts knowing Matlala 'very well'

FORMER police minister Bheki Cele has taken a step back from his earlier assertions regarding his relationship with attempted murder-accused tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

- MAYIBONGWE MAGHINA

FORMER police minister Bheki Cele giving his testimony at the parliamentary inquiry probing allegations of corruption in the criminal justice system.

(I ARMAND HOUGH Independent Newspapers)

Cele had previously insisted he knew Matlala “very well’, but during questioning on Friday, he conceded that a mere acquaintance of three months may not validate such a claim.

He testified on Thursday with confidence, claiming familiarity with Matlala after having stayed at his Pretoria apartment on two separate occasions.

However, under questioning from Patriotic Alliance MP Ashley Sauls, Cele changed his tune, admitting that referring to their relationship as “very well” was an overstated description.

“On reflection, very well would have been an overarching kind of a term,” Cele remarked, revising his earlier assertion.

This happened amidst a discussion about Babita Deokaran, a whistleblower in the Gauteng Health Department who was tragically murdered outside her home in connection with Tembisa hospital corruption.