A new investigation has revealed that former Police Minister Bheki Cele made multiple attempts to contact controversial businessman Vusi “Cat” Matlala just before his arrest.
According to the report, Cele called Matlala ten times in a single day in May 2025. None of the calls were answered. At the time, Matlala was threatening to take the police to court over the cancellation of his company’s R360 million contract with the South African Police Service (SAPS). That contract was soon cancelled, and Matlala was arrested for attempted murder.
Phone records show that Cele and Matlala had exchanged over 100 calls and text messages in total. This is despite Cele’s previous denials of being friends or business partners with him.
The report also found that Cele stayed twice at Matlala’s luxury penthouse in Pretoria. Hotel records listed Cele as a “friend and business partner.” Cele admitted to using the apartment but again denied any business relationship with Matlala.
Vusi “Cat” Matlala is a businessman currently in jail facing charges including attempted murder and money laundering. His company had won a major police contract, which was later cancelled due to fraud and poor performance. A senior police official has described Matlala as an “underworld figure” who influenced police leaders.
This scandal has extended to Cele’s successor as Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, who was recently placed on special leave by President Cyril Ramaphosa due to corruption allegations also linked to Matlala.
In response to the widespread allegations, President Ramaphosa has appointed a legal scholar as the new acting Police Minister and launched a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate corruption within law enforcement.