Cele added as witness in Mkhwanazi allegations

FORMER Police Minister Bheki Cele has been added to the names of witnesses expected to testify before Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing serious allegations of corruption, political interference, and mismanagement within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

- HOPE NTANZI

The committee was established following bombshell allegations made on 6 July by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who publicly accused senior political and police officials of obstructing sensitive investigations and attempting to dismantle the Political Killings Task Team in KZN

During his briefing, Mkhwanazi presented digital evidence, including WhatsApp chats allegedly extracted from mobile devices, which he claimed revealed coordinated interference by high-ranking individuals.

He specifically named suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, his associate Brown Mogotsi, and businessman Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala as central figures in the alleged effort.

In a media briefing held last week Friday, ad hoc committee chairperson Lekganyane Molapi confirmed Cele’s inclusion in the witness list.

“The chairperson signed seven letters to the seven persons that have been named,” Molapi said. “Secondly, in the invitation, there is no person who has been given a date of appearance before the committee.”