Bheki Cele accuses Senzo Mchunu and ‘Cat’ Matlala of arrest scheme

When Bheki Cele, former Minister of Police, took the stand on 23 October 2025, he didn’t just recount his career – he dropped a bombshell that Senzo Mchunu, the current police minister, and alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala were conspiring to have Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo arrested. The testimony, delivered before a parliamentary ad hoc committee, sent shockwaves through Cape Town’s parliamentary precinct and rekindled a string of explosive statements from General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi earlier that month.

Background: The Madlanga Commission and a fraught police landscape

The Madlanga Commission of InquirySouth African Parliament, Cape Town was instituted in September 2025 to probe pervasive allegations of police corruption, factionalism, and abuse of state resources. Its mandate covers everything from the controversial dissolution of the PKTT unit to alleged money‑laundering channels linking senior officials to organised crime.

At the centre of this storm sits a power shift that began in 2019 when President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Senzo Mchunu as Minister of Police, replacing the long‑serving Bheki Cele. The transition was billed as a move toward greater accountability, but insiders say the two have been at odds for years, especially over the handling of the so‑called “Special Investigation Unit” (SIU) and the fate of high‑profile crime lords.

Chronology of the accusations

1. 7 October 2025 – General Mkhwanazi’s warning: In a televised interview, the SAPS general warned, “If there’s a law broken, even if it’s General Bheki Cele, I’ll arrest him too.” He added that he wore no political colours and would not join any party, underscoring his claim of neutrality.
2. 9 October 2025 – Money‑transfer expose: IOL reported that Mkhwanazi had uncovered a suspicious transfer from the underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to Cele’s personal accounts. The paper insinuated a quid‑pro‑quo relationship that could explain the later alleged conspiracy.
3. 16 October 2025 – Mchunu’s surprise appointment: Mchunu told the committee he was unaware of Ramaphosa’s decision to make him minister, a statement that raised eyebrows given the timing of the PKTT disbandment.
4. 21 October 2025 – Mchunu wraps up testimony: He praised the commission for allowing him to explain the PKTT decision and hinted at internal sabotage attempts by unnamed rivals.
5. 23 October 2025 – Cele’s explosive testimony: The former minister alleged that Mchunu, together with Matlala, plotted to fabricate charges against Khumalo, hoping to silence a key intelligence chief who was allegedly digging into the money trail.
6. 24 October 2025 – Committee summons Mkhwanazi: The ad hoc panel demanded that the general return to clarify why he retracted his earlier statements about payments from Matlala to Cele.

Key testimonies and what they reveal

The most damning moment came when Cele recounted a secret meeting in Johannesburg’s Sandton district, where he claimed Mchunu handed him a sealed folder containing fabricated evidence against Khumalo. “They wanted me out, and a fake arrest was the easiest tool,” Cele told the committee. While no hard copy of the folder has surfaced, the testimony aligns with a separate leak that suggested a “clean‑up” operation within Crime Intelligence, aimed at removing officers deemed too aggressive against criminal syndicates.

Meanwhile, General Mkhwanazi’s retraction sparked suspicion. Initially, he said he had handed over a bank statement proving a R2.4 million transfer from Matlala’s shell company to Cele’s personal account. Days later, he back‑tracked, claiming the document was forged. The committee’s request for his return indicates a belief that his flip‑flop was not voluntary.

On the other side, Mchunu denied any involvement, describing the allegations as “politically motivated attempts to destabilise the police service ahead of the ANC’s upcoming elective conference.” He insisted that Khumalo’s recent investigations into drug‑trafficking rings were the real motive behind the alleged plot.

Political fallout and the wider police corruption narrative

South Africa’s political arena is heating up as the ANC prepares for its December elective conference. The timing of this scandal is uncanny; observers note that factions supporting former president Jacob Zuma have long accused the current leadership of using the police to protect their own interests. If the commission finds evidence of a deliberate frame‑up, it could trigger motions of no‑confidence against Mchunu, or even criminal charges for both ministers.

The case also shines a light on the lingering influence of organised crime networks. Matlala, dubbed “Cat” for his reputed agility in evading law enforcement, is believed to control a network that moves illicit goods between Mozambique and the Gauteng province. His alleged liaison with Cele suggests that the line between state officials and criminal kingpins may be thinner than publicly admitted.

Human rights groups, including the Section 27 Centre, have issued statements urging the commission to protect whistle‑blowers like Mkhwanazi, whose safety appears jeopardised after his public revelations. “Retaliation against senior officers undermines the rule of law,” said attorney Thandi Mkhize during a press conference on 25 October 2025.

What comes next? Potential legal and institutional outcomes

The parliamentary ad hoc committee is slated to release a draft report by early December, with a final verdict expected before the end of the year. If the findings substantiate Cele’s claims, the National Prosecuting Authority may open a dossier against Mchunu and Matlala. Meanwhile, the President could be forced to intervene, either by reshuffling the police ministry or by commissioning a separate judicial inquiry.

For the average South African, the saga translates into concerns over safety and trust in law‑enforcement agencies. Recent surveys show a 12 % drop in public confidence in the police since the beginning of the year, a trend that could deepen if high‑level corruption is confirmed.

Regardless of the eventual outcome, the Madlanga Commission has underscored a pivotal moment: South Africa’s fight against police corruption is entering a new, very public phase, with political careers hanging in the balance.

Background deep dive: From the ANC split to the PKTT controversy

The roots of today’s drama trace back to the 2017 ANC leadership battle, when factions vied for control over state security appointments. Cele, then a close ally of former President Zuma, was appointed minister in 2012 and served until 2017. His tenure was marked by a hard‑line stance on organised crime but also accusations of politicising the police.

When Ramaphosa took office in 2018, he promised a “clean” police service. Mchunu’s appointment in 2020 was meant to signal that change. However, the subsequent disbandment of the PKTT unit – a specialised anti‑gang task force – raised eyebrows. Critics argued the move weakened the police’s capacity to tackle violent crime, while insiders claimed it was a purge of officers loyal to Cele.

Today, the PKTT controversy, the alleged money‑laundering link, and the purported arrest plot all intersect, forming a tangled web that the Madlanga Commission must untangle before the next election cycle.