Cat Matlala, Cele and the R500 000

Matlala claims he paid Bheki Cele and Senzo Mchunu for police favours and protection

- Nkateko Joseph Mabasa

After two subsequent police raids at his house by the political killings task team, Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala - alleged leader of the Big Five cartel and attempted murder suspect approached former police minister Bheki Cele for assistance.

Matlala told parliament's ad hoc committee that he paid Cele R500 000 in two tranches for protection. He said he did this while North West businessman Brown Mogotsi was also soliciting money from him, claiming to act on behalf of suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu.

Matlala has been detained at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre since April, after he was arrested and charged with a myriad of charges, including conspiracy to commit murder and allegations relating to the R2 billion Tembisa Hospital corruption.

He alleges that he unknowingly became entangled in a power struggle inside the South African Police Service (SAPS) between Cele and Mchunu, both of whom he believed were fighting for loyalty and influence over police operations.

An investigation into the murder of Armand Swart led to a search and seizure at Matlala's residence in December 2024 and March 2025. Swart was a Vereeniging engineer believed to be a whistleblower in a Transnet tender scandal involving the Gauteng organised crime unit and the KwaZulu-Natal-based political killings task team.

Senior police officials testifying at the Madlanga Commission — investigating allegations of police corruption — claimed that Matlala initiated the disbandment of the task team by Mchunu on 31 December 2024.

Matlala has refuted this claim, asserting that he was caught in infighting between Cele and his successor, Mchunu. Matlala alleges that they demanded money in exchange for police favours.