Mogotsi is a con artist, Cele an extortionist: Matlala

Attempted murder accused,  Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, has accused former police minister, Bheki Cele, of extortion and North West businessman, Brown Mogotsi, of being a con artist.

Matlala made the claims while appearing before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating alleged corruption and political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

He admitted to making several payments to both men, saying they took advantage of what he described as his “generosity.”

Matlala told MPs he refused Mogotsi’s request for money for the ANC’s January 8th rally, but conceded he sent him around R38,000 last December — saying he only entertained Mogotsi because Cele allegedly advised that Mogotsi had access to senior government officials, including suspended minister Senzo Mchunu.

He said he eventually grew tired of the pair’s demands, sometimes receiving up to 20 calls a day.

– Payments to Cele and others –

Matlala repeated claims that he delivered a total of R500,000 in cash to Cele — using what he jokingly called a Woolworths “money bag.” He also admitted to paying Mogotsi up to R150,000 in total.

He insisted that giving money to senior police officials in exchange for assistance did not make him corrupt, arguing instead that Cele was the one acting corruptly.

“After he helped me he said to me I must give him money because he also helped me. I would say that was just me returning a favour. That is not corrupt, no. From his side, yes, I would say it’s corruption. But from my side, no,” said Matlala.

He says Cele also asked him for money to build a retirement home, adding that the former minister frequently requested cash to the point where Matlala eventually stopped responding.

Matlala alleges that shortly after he began ignoring the requests, payments for his SAPS tenders were delayed and purchase orders to his company were halted.

He further claims Cele instructed him to send money to his son.

 

– MPs confront Matlala on criminal history –

DA MP, Glynnis Breytenbach, confronted Matlala with a long list of past charges — including cash-in-transit robbery, vehicle theft, house robbery and assault — all of which were later withdrawn.

Matlala denied wrongdoing, insisting he was being unfairly targeted.

– Claims about police conduct –

Matlala alleges he was referred to KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, for help regarding payment issues, but received no assistance after a meeting in April.

He also repeated claims that officers raided his Waterkloof Ridge home without a warrant, assaulted his wife, confiscated personal items, and terrified his family.

Under questioning from EFF leader, Julius Malema, Matlala revealed details about his upbringing, saying he spent much of his childhood on the streets of Mamelodi.

He said his mother, who was living with albinism, abandoned him at a young age after being raped due to myths that sex with an albino provides healing.

“I was a street kid. I only found her in 2002, but she was terminally ill. She passed away shortly after.”

Matlala told MPs he has never held formal employment, saying he built his fortune through business deals, including his security firm and medical supply ventures.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao