Secret Summit Uncovered: Cele and Matlala’s Zimbali Villa Meeting Sparks Outrage. Image Credit: The Post
The Committee has established allegations of criminal infiltration and corruption which place the justice system in a compromised position, following serious allegations that were made a few months ago by Kwa-Zulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi has publicly accused a number of prominent figures being actors and other influential individuals allegedly linked to Former Minister, Bheki Cele of placing police integrity in a compromising position.
Cele was appointed as Minister of Police in February of 2018 until June 2024, one of his job descriptions was overseeing the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) operations during his tenure.
The PKTT underwent disbandment on the 31st of December 2024 and was initiated by suspended Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu who has had his fair share of being in the “hot seat” and now faces serious allegations of protecting what are believed to be criminal syndicate ties to Bheki Cele.
Reports have emerged that Bheki Cele has maintained close contact with alleged “kingpin” Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala who is currently incarcerated and faces attempted murder charges. Mkhwanazi has confirmed that Matlala is a person of interest within the criminal infiltration of the South African Police Service organization (SAPS).
During Wednesday, 23rd October 2025’s proceedings, suspended Minster, Senzo Mchunu Informed African National Congress Member of Parliament (MP), Khusela Diko that Bheki Cele did not receive a formal hand over of notes in regards to the PKTT at the time the transition took place.
Mchunu stated: “Not as I read it. What was there was a reference to committees the Minister was Serving on, not necessarily the PKTT in any form.” As he faced intense interrogation regarding why did Cele not take any initiative in disbanding the PKTT himself, Mchunu responded by saying: “Not really, we did not delve into the matter.”
Bheki Cele Admits To Being Affiliated With Matlala
Evidence Leader, Norman Arendse questioned Cele about his alleged meeting with Matlala in Zimbali Estate in Durban. Norman Arendse read from Paragraph 77 that Cele believed that they would be meeting at Matlala’s personal residence, however at a later stage, Cele learnt that Hangwani Morgan Maumela owned that property.
Mr Maumela is currently subjected to being in investigated by the HAWKS for the extraction of R2.3 Billion from Thembisa hospital in the Gauteng Province.
Bheki Cele claimed that he had no knowledge of this property being in ownership of Maumela. It was also read that Cele said he had received numerous enquires from journalists and he can confidently confirm that he has no relationship with Maumela whatsoever.
Cele stated: “I met Matlala to talk not only about Presidential things, but about other things as well. One thing that took me aback in the meeting in the meeting in Zimbali is when I saw his protection guys, and I began to say that it looks like there are faces that I know here.
“What nearly made me fall down is when he told me that some of those guys, particularly 23 of them has recruited them from Special Task Force of the army. I said to myself, what is this? He has taken 23 of the Special Task Force of the army to guard him.”
Bheki informed the Committee that earlier on that day, he had a conversation with Mkhwanazi and informed him that they have lost 56 members of the Special Task Force of Police to the taxi industry. He further stated that he was informed that training one member of the Special Task Force is amounted to a cost of R1.1 Million and being declared an “all-rounder”.
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