An image of Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala calls former Police Minister Bheki Cele an "Extortionist" at Mandlanga commission of Inquiry. Image credit: Kabelo Mokoena
(The Post News) – Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala intensifies his allegations against former Police Minister, Bheki Cele. He confirmed Cele demanded R1 million from him. Matlala continued his testimony before the Ad HOC Committee on Thursday, 27th November 2025. The Committee was informed of alleged bags of money, manicures and a missing “friend”.
Matlala is currently facing trials based on charged of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, defeating the ends of justice and fraud. He made an appearance before the committee at Pretoria’s Kgosi Mampuru Prison where he was apprehended. Besides those charged, Matlala has faced allegations of being part of major crime cartel, named “The Big Five”. He publicly slammed this allegation on Thursday as he appeared before the Ad HOC Committee.
This was the second day of him giving his testimonial before the committee. Ad HOC has been assigned to investigate accusations. They are investigating drug trafficking cartels infiltrating South Africa’s criminal justice system. These cartels have also infiltrated private and political sectors. On Wednesday, 26th November 2025, Matlala made an unforgettable fashion statement before the committee. He wore a black Fendi Ensamble, priced at R22 000, according to digital evidence.
Economic Freedom Fighters Founder and Member of Parliament, Julius Malema gave instructions to Matlala. He asked Matlala to speak to the mother of the friend who was reported missing last year. The mother is highly convinced that Matlala is the mastermind behind her child’s kidnapping. She has been following all Ad HOC proceedings. Matlala was requested to deliver a message to the kidnappers.
South African Police Raid
Matlala’s personal residence in Pretoria was raided by the South African Police Service (SAPS) on the 6th December 2024. This was an important focus point during questioning. As the raid occurred, the police questioned Matlala about Jerry Boshoga. Boshoga was reported missing and kidnapped on the 18th November 2024 in Centurion. Boshoga is still missing.
He testified that he lent Boshoga R1 million and described him as “good friend of his”. Boshoga had still has an outstanding balance of R100 000, according to Matlala. The missing man was involved in livestock farming, particularly cattle and knew this was the reason for Boshoga needing funds.
Matlala testified that Boshoga’s bother contacted him on the night of his disappearance. He further said that Boshoga informed his brother of needing his assistance in fetching 20-liter drums. The drums were filled with some of the materials Boshoga used to manufacture narcotics. He was not sure of what kind of drug was manufactured from such material.
ActionSA’s Member of Parliament, Darleen James interrogated Matlala. She asked about the actions he took after learning his friend was affiliated with drugs. These drugs were sold mostly in townships. Matlala responded to say that he is not “okay” with it but would refrain from judgment towards him.
A Brother From Another Mother
Julius Malema informed Matlala that Boshoga’s mother had reached out to him (Malema) demanding Matlala returns her son. Matlala says she was being misled by the people who are responsible for his incarceration. He was then asked whether he believes that Boshoga is still alive. He did not give a direct response. Instead, he said that Boshoga will end up being a liability to his abductors. This is a harsh reality to accept.
Cele’s R1 Million Extortion.
Matlala informed the committee of giving Cele half a million. Matlala later cultivated on this statement and said Cele initially wanted R1 million. Evidence Leader, Norman Arendse questioned why this this information was excluded from his typed statement to the committee. His response was that he was “being forgetful.” He explained this forgetfulness was due to him being in a prison cell for 23 hours daily. This situation “impairs” his brain functionality.
The “Cookie Jar”
He gave Cele R300 000 in January 2025 as a ‘facilitation fee” after the firearms that were taken from him were returned. This was also to shield him from police officer harassment. The money was received by Cele in cash in Matlala’s apartment in Pretoria, Bongani “Mabonga” Mpungose being a witness to this exchange. Mpungose was affiliated with private security and his father is a boss in the KwaZulu-Natal taxi industry. Cele and Mpungose were in close relations, according to Matlala. Bongani met his untimely death of the 6th March 2025 after being shot at the Solo restaurant in Sandton, Gauteng.
Matlala informed the committee. He spoke about making a second payment of R200 000 to Cele. This occurred at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Umhlanga in March 2025. Both sums of money were withdrawn from ATM’s and carried in Woollies shopping bags described as the “the money bag”. He was asked if he and Cele met at least on four occasions. They went to a particular venue in Menlyn for manicures. Matlala slammed this allegation and called Cele an “extortionist”. Cele’s version of interaction is contrary to Matlala’s. Cele told the committee that they met at the Beverly Hills Hotel via Mpungose last December.
Referring to Cele’s testimony, Matlala informed him. Shadrack Sibiya requested an affidavit from him. It was against former Crime Intelligence head, Dumisani Khumalo. Dumisani, alongside six other colleagues, were incarcerated due to an irregular appointment in June. They all pleaded not guilty to their charges. Cele made no mention of money exchanges but did mention that he stayed in Matlala’s penthouse in Pretoria for free. He mentioned this on two accounts.
Certified “Crook”
Glynnis Breytenbach, South African politician and former prosecutor. She stated that Matlala is not the naive person he portrays himself to be. He is not a businessman but rather a crook. She made reference to the list of criminal charges Matlala was faced with over the years. Matlala was charged with residential robbery in 2001 and spent four years behind bars. Other cases are inclusive of a 2006 cash-n-transit crime which he was acquitted for. A house robbery in case was withdrawn in 2012 and an attempted murder case in 2018 which too was withdrawn.
Ian Cameron accused Matlala of being the “mastermind” of a network of crime. He said Matlala is a central figure in the corrup enterprise and has caused damage to many of his dealings
How Did Matlala Grow Up?
Matlala shed some light in the committee’s direction based in his childhood and said he was a street kid. He explained that his mother was suffering from albinism. There was a well-known ancient belief that you would get cured from whatever if you slept with an albino. This was a traumatic experience for his mother, in turn leaving him to fend for himself. He at a later stage found his mother but in an unpleasant health condition and later succumbed to her illness.
Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala finished giving his testimony of the Thursday, 27th November 2025.
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