Cele took my money, says Cat Matala

VUSIMUZI “Cat” Matlala’s testimony took an explosive turn yesterday, when he detailed his alleged cash payments of R500000 to former police minister Bheki Cele.

- THEOLIN TEMBO [e-mail]

The Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate the allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Head, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, had MPs hanging onto his every word when Matlala made several statements which detailed his relationship with Cele.

Matlala’s testimony was so captivating that at one point it prompted the Ad Hoc Committee Chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane, to criticise MPs for getting ahead of the evidence leader, Advocate Norman Arendse SC as he led Matlala through his statement.

The moment was preceded by Matlala sharing that Cele told him that suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu wants to be president. Cele had allegedly said, “He thinks he (Mchunu) can be president of the country.”

Matlala added that even Cele asked him how he was awarded the R360-million tender, assuming that there had been alleged involvement “between him (Mchunu), me and General Sibiya, because of them saying I’m close to Sibiya also, they might have participated for me to get this healthcare contract”.