South Africa's sidelined police minister Senzo Mchunu and his predecessor Bheki Cele faced scrutiny in Parliament last week over their associations with figures linked to crime and politics. The ad hoc committee investigating alleged drug cartel infiltration heard testimonies revealing meetings and communications that raised questions about safeguards in law enforcement leadership. Details emerged connecting them to jailed businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, ANC-aligned mogul Brown Mogotsi, and a murdered convict.
Parliament's ad hoc committee, formed after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's July allegations of a drug trafficking cartel infiltrating South Africa's criminal justice system, convened hearings last week. The probe, running parallel to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, focused on accusations against top policing officials, placing Mchunu on special leave in July and elevating Firoz Cachalia as acting minister on 1 August.
Senzo Mchunu testified that he had known Brown Mogotsi since 2017 as a political 'comrade' through messaging, but denied any close association or knowledge of Mogotsi's personal dealings. Mchunu distanced himself from Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, insisting he had never met the jailed businessman facing attempted murder and money laundering charges, nor been involved in any funding project for his ANC leadership ambitions. He explained disbanding the KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team on 31 December 2024 as a budget-driven decision to balance resources, rejecting claims of influence from suspects.
Bheki Cele, no longer in government, admitted to multiple encounters with Matlala, including a December 2024 meeting at Durban's Beverly Hills Hotel arranged by Bongani Mpungose—known as Mabonga, son of taxi figure Sputla Mpungose and a convict later murdered in a March 2025 Sandton shooting. Cele recounted two free stays at Matlala's Pretoria penthouse and alleged Matlala discussed funding Mchunu's ANC rise with Mogotsi. He also acknowledged knowing Panganathan 'Timmy' Marimuthu 'very well' from transport work, though contact had lapsed for two years, and met Mabonga despite his criminal record.
Mchunu's chief of staff, Cedric Nkabinde, faced mentions for allegedly leaking sensitive information; his Gauteng flat was raided recently. Cele's testimony highlighted a lack of filters for dealings, while Mchunu's was more defensive. The committee resumes Tuesday with new witnesses, amid a scandal delaying first-quarter crime statistics release, originally due in August or September but postponed past a promised 16 October date due to 'inner turmoil,' as admitted by National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola.