Bheki Cele
Bhekokwakhe “Bheki” Hamilton Cele (born 22 April 1952) is a veteran ANC politician from KwaZulu-Natal, formerly SAPS National Commissioner (2009–2012) and most recently Minister of Police from February 2018 to 17 June 2024. He is an ANC NEC member and a Cyril Ramaphosa ally. In July 2025 he was implicated in the Big Five cartel corruption scandal through his relationship with Vusimuzi Matlala: phone records showed he was in constant contact with Matlala, and he admitted staying at Matlala’s luxury Pretoria penthouse days before Matlala’s company was awarded a R360 million SAPS tender.
SAPS National Commissioner (2009–2012): Cele served as SAPS National Commissioner from 2009 until suspended in October 2011 on allegations of misconduct. The core allegation: he approved a ~R500 million SAPS office lease with property developer Roux Shabangu’s building despite SAPS having unused buildings already. A fitness inquiry found him unfit for office; President Zuma fired him in June 2012. This pattern — approving state contracts to connected property developers — was noted in commentary in 2025 as a precursor to the Matlala tender.
Re-appointment by Ramaphosa (2018): Ramaphosa appointed Cele as Police Minister in February 2018, overriding critics who pointed to the prior fitness finding. Cele had aligned with Ramaphosa in the December 2017 ANC leadership election, campaigning against the Zuma-backed Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma faction.
Matlala connection (2025): Implicated July 2025, after Matlala’s arrest and the establishment of the Madlanga Commission. Key facts:
- Phone records showed Cele calling Matlala more than 10 times in a single day
- Cele denied knowing Matlala on national television — phone records directly contradicted this denial
- Cele admitted staying at The Capital Menlyn Maine penthouse (Matlala’s luxury Pretoria apartment) in January 2025 — days before Medicare24 was awarded the R360 million SAPS health services tender
- Daily Maverick (March 2026): “Matlala allegedly paid former police minister Bheki Cele in cash”
- The R360 million tender was awarded during Cele’s tenure as Police Minister, per reports
Parliamentary testimony: Cele was named among the seven top figures called to testify before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating the Mkhwanazi allegations. Testimony revealed “Matlala approached former police minister Bheki Cele, suspended deputy national commissioner” in connection with his business interests.
Pattern significance: Daily Maverick analysis noted that Cele’s prior removal for the Shabangu lease scandal and subsequent re-appointment by Ramaphosa illustrated how political loyalty trumped integrity vetting — and that Cele’s relationship with Matlala continued the pattern of police leadership cultivating corrupt business relationships.
Connections
- Vusimuzi Matlala — stayed at his penthouse days before R360m tender awarded; paid cash by Matlala per commission testimony; in constant phone contact
- Big Five cartel — implicated through Matlala relationship; alleged to have facilitated cartel’s SAPS contract access
- Madlanga Commission — implicated in commission testimony; called to testify before Parliament’s ad hoc committee
- Cyril Ramaphosa — Ramaphosa ally since 2017; re-appointed as Police Minister despite prior fitness finding
- Senzo Mchunu — succeeded Mchunu (correction: Mchunu succeeded Cele) as Police Minister June 2024