KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has officially retracted his earlier allegations implicating former Police Minister Bheki Cele in a financial transaction with controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Mkhwanazi had previously claimed that Cele provided Matlala with bank account details, facilitating a deposit that Cele allegedly acknowledged receiving.
These assertions were made during his testimony before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating corruption within the criminal justice system.
On Thursday, 23 October 2025, evidence leader Advocate Norman Arendse announced that Mkhwanazi had sent a text message withdrawing the allegation. The message clarified that the bank account number in question was incorrectly attributed to Cele, and the allegation was entirely withdrawn with an apology for any inconvenience or harm caused.
Despite the retraction, members of Parliament expressed dissatisfaction with the manner of withdrawal. They argued that Mkhwanazi should return to Parliament to formally retract his statement under oath, as the original accusation was made publicly.
MPs emphasized the need for a transparent and accountable process to address the serious nature of the allegations.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
