Pretoria is facing fresh controversy after reports revealed that former Police Minister Bheki Cele attempted to contact tender businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala just hours before his arrest earlier this month.
Matlala, whose company Medicare24 secured a R360-million SAPS health services tender, was arrested on 8 July 2025. He is accused of ordering a hit on actress Tebogo Thobejane and has been linked through ballistics to at least 10 other murders. The tender has faced allegations of fraud, fronting, and lack of medical qualifications.
Sources claim Cele made urgent calls to Matlala around the time the tender was cancelled on 7 July. Cele denies any business ties, but questions have been raised about his proximity to the businessman, with some reports suggesting he attended gatherings at Matlala’s Pretoria home.
The revelations come as public trust in the police remains low. A 2024 survey found that 62% of Gauteng residents distrust SAPS. Opposition parties, including the DA, have called for a parliamentary investigation into possible political interference in police tenders.
While Matlala’s criminal case moves forward, Cele’s calls remain under scrutiny, with critics warning that the incident highlights the growing overlap between politics, crime, and policing in South Africa.
