Mkhwanazi Withdraws Allegations of Cele’s Link to Matlala

(The Post News)- KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has formally withdrawn allegations he made against former Police Minister Bheki Cele, admitting that the claims were based on incorrect information.

Mkhwanazi earlier accused Cele of providing bank account details to alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, stating that the former minister had received money through that account.

Evidence leader Advocate Norman Arendse SC confirmed that Mkhwanazi had retracted the statement. “This allegation is withdrawn. The team that was working on the analysis got the bank account number wrong, and that’s it, not a reference to you (Cele). So the allegation is withdrawn with apologies from Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi for any inconvenience or hurt caused,” said Arendse.

Arendse also reported to the committee that he received a text message from Mkhwanazi before the sitting adjourned for a break, in which the commissioner confirmed that he was retracting his earlier statement.

Cele, who was present during the hearing, responded calmly, saying only “okay.” He later added that he was taken aback by the original allegation. “I was surprised because that was not true,” Cele said.

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Viki Stuurman

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Hi, I'm Viki Stuurman a journalism graduate currently pursuing an Honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies at the University of the Free State. I developed a passion for exploring the evolving relationship between media, society, and technology. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I developed a strong foundation in media ethics, investigative reporting, interviewing, multimedia production and news writing. In addition, I actively contributed to campus publications and worked on various multimedia projects, gaining hands-on experience in both traditional and digital journalism. I believe that journalism is the key to information.

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