Explosive claim: Matlala says he paid R500 000 to Bheki Cele

Allegations of corruption emerge during parliamentary testimony

- THEOLIN TEMBO

MURDER suspect Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala testifying at the Ad Hoc Committee sitting at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria. | OUPA MOKOENA Independent Newspapers

(OUPA MOKOENA Independent Newspapers)

VUSIMUZI “Cat” Matlala’s testimony took an explosive turn yesterday when he detailed his alleged cash payments of R500 000 to former Minister Bheki Cele.

The Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate the allegations made by the South African Police Service (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 critique 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.”