Matlala Calls Bheki Cele An Extortionist And Brown Mogotsi A Con Artist In Explosive Testimony

Controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala wrapped up his testimony before Parliament’s ad hoc committee on police corruption on Thursday with explosive allegations targeting former police minister Bheki Cele.

Testifying from the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility in Pretoria, where he awaits trial for attempted murder, Matlala labelled Cele an “extortionist” and described alleged fixer Brown Mogotsi as a “con artist”.

Over two days, Matlala detailed several cash payments he said he made to Cele and Mogotsi, insisting both men sought money from him purely for their personal benefit.

Allegations of Bribes and Political Funding

Matlala claimed Cele had initially asked him for a R1 million bribe before later refusing to take his calls. He also rejected Mogotsi’s alleged attempts to demand money for political purposes, saying he had no interest in financing Mogotsi’s activities.

“I will say I will regard Brown Mogotsi as a con artist, and Cele I would say is an extortionist,” he told MPs.

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Vusimuzi reiterated that the only political figure he was willing to support financially was Minister Senzo Mchunu, who had been campaigning to become the next African National Congress (ANC) president.

“Anything that had to do with Minister Mchunu, that’s what I was entertaining,” he said.

The committee has concluded this round of hearings and is expected to call more witnesses, including former IPID head Robert McBride, after receiving an extension until February.

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