Former police minister Bheki Cele is facing renewed scrutiny after a police forensic investigation reportedly recommended that he be criminally prosecuted over alleged benefits linked to businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.
Also see: Bheki Cele’s 10 missed calls to Cat Matlala implicate him further
According to the Sunday Times, a 370-page forensic report compiled by the South African Police Service’s internal audit and risk and integrity management divisions reportedly found that Bheki received alleged “gratification” and private benefits from companies linked to Cat.
The report reportedly examined financial records, communications and other evidence connected to Cat and his businesses, including Medicare24 Tshwane District and CAT Protection and Security.
Alleged cash payments under scrutiny
The investigation reportedly identified a pattern of large cash withdrawals from Matlala-linked company accounts around the time of meetings between Cat and Bheki.
The allegations are not new. Cat previously told Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating allegations of corruption in the police that he had allegedly given Cele R500 000 in two cash payments.
Cat claimed he gave Cele R300 000 in January 2025 and another R200 000 in March. He further alleged that Bheki had requested R1 million.
Bheki has consistently denied receiving money from Cat.
In response to the latest allegations, Bheki told the Sunday Times that if investigators claimed he received money, they should produce bank records showing that he received it.
The Sunday Times can exclusively reveal that forensic investigators examined the bank records of Matlala’s companies, uncovering a “specific pattern” of large cash withdrawals from the accounts of Medicare24 Tshwane District and his security firm, CAT Protection and Security (Pty) Ltd, occurring within days of Matlala’s meetings with Cele https://t.co/20gM1Y338F
— Times LIVE (@TimesLIVE) October 4, 2026
Also see: ‘It was a freebie’ – Bheki Cele admits sleeping at alleged cartel boss‘ penthouse
Luxury penthouse also investigated
The forensic investigation reportedly examined Bheki’s use of a luxury penthouse at The Capital Menlyn Maine in Pretoria, which Cat leased.
According to the report, Cat allegedly sent a WhatsApp message to hotel management in January 2025 asking that Bheki be given access to the penthouse whenever he was in Pretoria. Investigators reportedly obtained keycard records confirming that the apartment was used during the period under investigation.
Bheki has acknowledged staying at the penthouse but has disputed that doing so amounted to wrongdoing, arguing that he had already left his position as police minister in June 2024.
Links to the R360 million SAPS contract
The allegations are linked to the controversial Medicare24 contract awarded by the SAPS.
According to The Citizen, Medicare24 was awarded a three-year contract worth approximately R360 million in June 2024 to provide health-risk management services to the police. The contract was later cancelled in May 2025 after approximately R50 million had reportedly been paid.
The broader corruption case involving Cat and other accused persons concerns an approximately R228 million contract. The National Prosecuting Authority said last week that the case had been postponed to 17 November 2026 while a review panel assesses the validity of the charges and the evidence.
Bheki Cele denies wrongdoing
Bheki has rejected allegations that he accepted money from Cat and has disputed claims that he had a close relationship with the businessman.
During earlier testimony, Bheki reportedly said: “I do not have a friend called Cat.”
The latest forensic report’s recommendation does not mean that Bheki has been convicted or that criminal charges have already been brought against him. A prosecution would still require a decision by the relevant prosecuting authorities, and the allegations would have to be tested through the criminal justice process.
The developments add another layer to the ongoing scrutiny of alleged corruption and political interference within South Africa’s policing structures, which has been examined by both Parliament’s ad hoc committee and the Madlanga Commission.
Also see: Internet users weigh in on how former Minister Bheki Cele has been spending his time
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