Former Minister of Police Bheki Cele appears to be the next ANC cadre to enter the hot seat, after phone records reveal a history of communication with alleged criminal Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, despite denying any connection to him.
The African National Congress (ANC) currently finds itself in a sticky situation, where, despite being the face of South African democracy, its legacy balances on a knife-edge, as calls for its removal continue to grow among citizens. With issues like a growing unemployment rate, which disproportionately affects the youth, as well as crime, substance abuse, and illegal immigration continuing to tear communities apart, members of the public have voiced their dissatisfaction with the party.
These cries have only grown louder since KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused some influential individuals of having a hand in the country’s high crime rates. Since then, more exposés have taken place, where more current and senior officials have been implicated.
Most recently, former police minister Bheki Cele appears to be the next comrade in line, as reports reveal an interesting piece of lore regarding his connection with controversial businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, despite previously denying knowing or doing business with him. According to News24, phone records reveal that Bheki made 10 outgoing calls to Cat on 9 May 2023, all of which were ignored or rejected by the businessman. This revelation is an interesting one for the public, as it pokes some holes in Bheki’s story and raises more suspicions than it clears up.
“I am not a schoolboy”, Cele dismisses questions over calls to Cat Matlala
Former Police Minister Bheki Cele has come under fresh scrutiny after News24 revealed he made ten unanswered calls to tender tycoon Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala just days before the businessman’s dramatic… pic.twitter.com/4MPqCtZemJ
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) August 25, 2025
Interestingly, the aforementioned publication also reveals that this flurry of calls came just days before Cat’s R360 million SAPS tender was cancelled, and the businessman was arrested in connection with the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane.
This, coupled with their other exposé, where they reported that weeks leading up to the tender award, Bheki Cele had stayed at Cat’s luxury penthouse in Pretoria, and failed to declare through official state channels has garnered the former minister even more scrutiny, with citizens calling for him and his comrades to face the music for their actions.
Both the former police minister Bheki Cele and Senzo Mchunu the police minister on special leave have links to Vusimuzi Matlala, the man on trial for a string serious crimes including attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. I ANC yemigulukudu 🗑 🚮
— Bamba la! (@Meluleki__N) August 26, 2025
Also see: Coloured learner uses k-word in viral video; citizens blame McKenzie
