Bheki Cele big problem as SAPS & Adhoc recommend criminal charges for Matlala’s 500K.

Shadowy cash drops packed into retail shopping bags, high-end penthouse stays, and untraceable phone calls have exploded into public view as an ad-hoc parliamentary committee weighs the fate of a legendary law enforcement figure.

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A massive 370-page joint forensic investigation finalized in April 2026 by the South African Police Service internal audit alongside its risk and integrity management division has delivered a devastating blow to former Police Minister Bheki Cele.

The explosive document directly examines the controversial Medicare 24 tender and associated transactions, recommending that Bheki Cele face criminal prosecution for receiving unlawful gratification and private benefits from Khabonina Matlala.

Forensic auditors uncovered a suspicious pattern of massive physical cash withdrawals originating from accounts tied to Medicare 24, 20 District, and K VIP Protection and Security, executed mere days after Khabonina Matlala met face-to-face with Bheki Cele.

Linking the paper trail directly to the former police chief presents an extraordinary challenge for state investigators because no electronic banking transfers or digital records exist to track the physical handoffs.

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The illicit funds were handed directly over to Bheki Cele inside a Woolworths shopping bag, leaving no digital footprint or paper trail for financial auditors to follow.

Adding to the investigative hurdle, Bheki Cele openly admitted during his appearance before the ad-hoc committee that he operates under a strict communication protocol designed to eliminate written records.

Addresssing the panel directly, Bheki Cele clarified his phone habits by stating: “Honorable Malema, Minister, do you have a WhatsApp? Yes, I do. Okay. Thanks. I I do have a WhatsApp that I read and never writes on it. Not once. Not once in life I’ve written either WhatsApp or any text message. With all my years with my wife, she has never received a text message from me. Not once. She said I must not say that. So with my PA that I’ve worked almost 20 years Sharon she has never received with Mkhwanazi whom I have a lot of lot of written messages from him. He has never received one from me by the way including including because I saw the war between Mkhwanazi and Simbine about the question of AKA that Mkhwanazi did not want to report to me. But a person who reported to me the kill the matter of uh of AKA was who sent me the he sent me the the the the message at about half 11 at night. So that’s why it was funny for me that he does not report to politicians when they were fighting with this when he hasn’t done but himself he can’t show nobody honorable Malema in the republic of South Africa that can show you a written message that comes from Cele“.

Matlala refuses to answer MPs’ questions over police contract that might incriminate him

The only verified digital record connecting the two figures consists of direct voice phone calls, including instances where Khabonina Matlala traveled to KwaZulu-Natal to seek personal intervention from Bheki Cele, as well as calls placed by Bheki Cele to Khabonina Matlala while the latter was held inside police cells.

Now sitting behind bars with his back against the wall, Khabonina Matlala provided explosive oral testimony directly detailing the secret financial arrangements he negotiated with Bheki Cele.

Under direct questioning regarding the exact timeline of the payments, Khabonina Matlala explained: “I offered him the first payment it was 300,000. So it was in this in January this year and for the reason for me to give me that money is because of he asked for money. He asked for the money. Yes”.

When asked if Bheki Cele requested that specific sum, Khabonina Matlala revealed: “No, he actually wanted 1 million rand. He actually wanted 1 million. Yes”.

Clarifying the total amount delivered, Khabonina Matlala testified: “No, I didn’t give him 300,000. And I gave him I gave him three and then again I gave him two like I mentioned and the day I decided to stop I was supposed to give him 300,000 again but that never happened is when I decided to take stop taking his calls”.

Detailing the exact location where the initial demand occurred, Khabonina Matlala confirmed that the exchange happened directly inside his own luxury apartment while the late Bongani was present in the room.

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Describing the confrontation, Khabonina Matlala recounted: “He actually spoke to Bongani. He said, ‘You see, I helped your friend and now I’m here at his apartment and he’s not even doing anything to show appreciation.’ And then I said, ‘But uh what do you mean? Because I even offered you a place to stay.’ He said, ‘No, but this won’t pay my bills. So, you know that I’ve helped you, but in return, you are not doing anything.’ And then that’s when I said, ‘Okay, how much do you want me to give you?’ I said, and then he said to me that if he can give you 1 million, he would appreciate that”.

When committee members pressed Khabonina Matlala on why these specific financial figures were missing from his official written affidavit, he responded: “There’s actually a lot of things that I did not mention. Like I said to you, I forgot a lot of things. The place that I’m in, I cannot remember all these things. Some of them, like I said yesterday, that I just remembered them when I’m lying on in bed that oh, actually this happened. This happened”.

Beyond the cash handoffs, Bheki Cele publicly acknowledged accepting free luxury housing from Khabonina Matlala starting toward the end of January, taking up residence inside a lavish Pretoria penthouse despite having met him just weeks prior.

When challenged during committee hearings about whether accepting free high-end accommodation from an individual under police investigation raised ethical alarms, Bheki Cele dismissed the concerns, declaring: “No, I took it. I took it. I’m not I’m not in government. So, if I’m in Pretoria, I pay my money. There is a hotel that has spent years. I’m in Pretoria and I’m not paying. and uh I took it and if I were in government I would have gone and declare”.

During intense deliberations, members of the ad-hoc committee debated formally referring Bheki Cele to law enforcement agencies for violating Section 3 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act alongside statutory bribery charges.

One committee member drew a haunting connection during the session, raising the shadow of slain whistleblower Babita Deokaran and asking Bheki Cele if he recognized that the luxury apartment he enjoyed was funded through proceeds derived from the controversial Tembisa Hospital saga.

As the ad-hoc committee drafts its final findings and the Madlanga Commission prepares its closing phase, lawmakers continue to push for formal law enforcement investigations to determine if criminal bribery charges can legally stick to the former police chief.

Bheki Cele big problem as SAPS & Adhoc recommend criminal charges for Matlala’s 500K.

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