Former Police Minister Bheki Cele is facing new scrutiny after confirming he had extensive communication with businessman Cat Matlala. Cele stated that on a single day in May 2025, he called Matlala ten times and exchanged over 100 text messages.
Cele defended the communication, calling it part of “routine engagements” and insisting that nothing about the conversations was improper.
However, the high volume of contact has raised concerns among opposition parties and good governance groups. Matlala is a businessman with alleged ties to politically connected networks.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) expressed deep concern, stating that the public has a right to know what was discussed in these interactions. The civil society group Corruption Watch agreed, noting that while such communication is not inherently wrong, the sheer frequency demands greater transparency and scrutiny.
In response, Cele has dismissed the criticism as a politically motivated attempt to damage his reputation. He maintains that all communication was lawful and ethical.
Political analysts are divided. Some suggest the controversy may fade without evidence of misconduct. Others argue that the perception of a close relationship between a former minister and a private businessman is damaging enough on its own.
Calls are growing for a parliamentary inquiry to investigate the nature of these communications. This is the latest in a series of controversies concerning the relationships between senior government officials and business figures in South Africa.