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Businessman Vusimuzi “Kat” Matlala appeared before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating police corruption. Speaking from custody at Kgosi Mampuru prison, Matlala detailed how he allegedly paid former Police Minister Bheki Cele R500,000 and met with Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to save a R360 million police contract tied to a company called Medicare 24 Tshwane District.
This explosive appearance is part of a widening inquiry into allegations raised by Mkhwanazi earlier this year.
What Matlala Told Parliament
In his nearly two-hour session, Matlala outlined a string of high-level meetings, alleged backroom deals, and pressure tactics by SAPS officials and government figures.
Top allegations include:
- R500,000 Paid to Cele: Matlala claimed he gave R300,000, then R200,000, to Bheki Cele after Cele allegedly demanded “appreciation” for helping him recover firearms confiscated during a police raid.
- Meeting with Mkhwanazi: He claimed to have met with Lt Gen Mkhwanazi at a luxury venue in Umhlanga. There, Mkhwanazi allegedly warned him not to harm then-Commissioner Masemola — and sought favours in exchange for help saving the tender.
- Police Raid: In December 2023, Matlala’s home was raided by the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). He alleges rights violations and theft of valuables during the operation.
- Lease Dispute: His company held a Public Works lease to use SAPS premises, but police allegedly refused to vacate. This conflict reportedly led to multiple high-level interventions.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Key Incident |
|---|---|
| 6 Dec 2023 | PKTT raids Matlala’s home in kidnapping investigation |
| 7 Dec 2023 | Opens case against SAPS for rights violations |
| 22 Dec 2023 | Alleged Beverly Hills meeting with Bheki Cele |
| April 2024 | Claims to meet Lt Gen Mkhwanazi in Umhlanga |
| Nov 2025 | Testifies before Parliament from prison |
Matlala’s Web of Claims
These were the most serious allegations from his testimony:
- He created a front company to win a R360m SAPS medical screening tender
- Cele allegedly intervened in exchange for cash and later stayed at his luxury Menlyn penthouse
- SAPS officials resisted eviction from leased premises despite legal agreements
- Matlala was pressured to drop charges against police after the raid
- Lt Gen Mkhwanazi allegedly wanted him to influence IPID witnesses in return for helping preserve the tender
“He said, ‘I helped you already, and you are not showing appreciation.’ So I gave him R300,000, then R200,000,” — Kat Matlala, testifying about Bheki Cele
What’s at Stake?
Matlala’s appearance intensifies pressure on high-ranking SAPS members and political figures. While Cele and Mkhwanazi have denied wrongdoing, their expected appearances at the Matlanga Commission will now face extra scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the ad hoc committee’s findings could influence national police reforms and shake political alliances in the lead-up to 2026.
Key Players Named
- Vusimuzi “Kat” Matlala – businessman and SAPS tender beneficiary
- Bheki Cele – former Police Minister, accused of taking bribes
- Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi – SAPS general, allegedly sought quid pro quo
- Department of Public Works – granted disputed lease
- Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) – raided Matlala’s home
SMWX Analysis: Bigger Picture
According to Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, Matlala’s testimony reveals how state procurement, political influence, and police authority intersect dangerously. The Medicare 24 deal illustrates how fronting and BEE structures can be manipulated for profit, while backroom meetings expose a blurred line between policing and politics.
This case also brings up deeper questions:
- How many other tenders follow this model?
- Is SAPS governance compromised at the top?
- Will Parliament and the courts act decisively?
The full fallout depends on whether these claims are substantiated under oath — and whether key players are held accountable.
5 Facts in 30 Seconds
- Matlala claims to have paid R500K to Bheki Cele
- He says he met Lt Gen Mkhwanazi to save his SAPS contract
- The R360 million tender was allegedly won via fronting
- His home was raided by the PKTT in Dec 2023
- SAPS and Public Works officials are now under investigation
External Sources
- Parliament of South Africa: www.parliament.gov.za
- IPID: www.ipid.gov.za
- SAPS: www.saps.gov.za
- SMWX: smwx.africa
