Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s testimony took an explosive turn on Wednesday afternoon, when he detailed his alleged cash payments of R500,000 to former Minister Bheki Cele.
The Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate the allegations made by the South African Police Service (SAPS) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Head, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, had MPs hanging onto his every word when Matlala made several statements which detailed his relationship with Cele.
Matlala’s testimony was so captivating that at one point it prompted the Ad Hoc Committee Chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane, to critique MPs for getting ahead of the evidence leader, Advocate Norman Arendse S.C as he led Matlala through his statement.
The moment was preceded by Matlala sharing that Cele told him that suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu wants to be president. Cele had allegedly said, “He thinks he (Mchunu) can be president of the country.”
Mtalala added that even Cele asked him how he was awarded the R360-million tender, assuming that there had been alleged involvement “between him (Mchunu), me and General Sibiya, because of them saying I'm close to Sibiya also, they might have participated for me to get this healthcare contract".
“They assumed that the money from the healthcare contract was supposed to fund his (Mchunu’s) presidential campaign.”
EFF’s Julius Malema shared with Matlala that when Cele appeared before MPs, they had asked him, “Why do you keep Matlala close to you, he said, ‘No, I kept him close because he was bringing information from Mchunu to my side, so I can't let him go, because he's giving me information.
“He said that under oath, and now you're saying he's the one who came with the information, the opposite of what he told us, so, effectively, I'm asking you, Mr Matlala, did former Minister Cele lie under oath about those issues in relation to your name?”
“Yes, he lied under oath,” Matlala said. “If he was asking, he was to me, sucking information. Why would he even ask me to ask my protectors to take him and his wife to a wedding somewhere in Lanseria? There was no way he would get information from those guys.
“He doesn't know them… I even gave him even money… I don't think he even declared that money. I gave him money twice,” Matlala said.
“How much did you give him, the first time and the second time?” Malema asked. Matlala answered, “I gave him R300,000, and then on the second occasion I gave him R200,000.”
Lekganyane intervened, saying, “You can see that the witness has a lot of information that he wants to share with the committee.
“The witness mentioned the meeting that happened with General Cele at the Beverly Hills (hotel). The witness mentioned the matter of Mr Brown Mogotsi, and the witnesses also mentioned the statement that General (Dumisani) Khumalo was about to be removed.
“Fourthly, the information about the presidential ambitions (of Mchunu). Fifthly, about the payments that were made for flight bookings, including those ID copies (for ANC January 8th celebrations), and now, lastly, that there is money which has been given to Cele. So these issues must not go away so that we do not scupper the work of the legal counsel.”
Matlala explained that he had met Cele for the first time on the 23rd of December 2024 at the Beverly Hill hotel in uMhlanga, as he had been introduced to Matlala as someone who could help alleviate the alleged harassment issues that he faced from the police.
Matlala’s property and his workplace had been raided twice by police; in the process, his firearms had been confiscated. Matlala had instituted court proceedings against the police following the harassment, with Cele then encouraging him to withdraw his interdict as a sign of goodwill.
Thereafter Matlala said he returned to Pretoria, and he was able to retrieve his firearms, but he does not know “if they were registered or not”.
*This article was first published by IOL News
A new Safety Index report by Ipsos, commissioned by leading ride-hailing platform Bolt, reveals a transformative shift in how South Africans perceive transport safety. An overwhelming 90% of ride-hailing users now deem these services inherently safer than conventional modes of transport like buses and traditional taxis. This shift underscores the increasing dependence on technology-driven mobility solutions in a country where personal security remains a daily concern.
As safety issues weigh heavily on the minds of many South Africans, ride-hailing has evolved from merely a transport option to a vital lifeline. The survey highlights that young adults aged 25 to 34 form a substantial 43% of ride-hailing users, leaning on these services for flexibility and reliability in their daily routines. Most users employ the service several times a week or month, indicating its growing relevance in their lives.
The study further highlights that 90% of respondents choose ride-hailing primarily for the feeling of safety it provides compared to public transport, especially during night travel, navigating unfamiliar areas, or returning from social outings. Notably, this sense of security increases after dark, with 92% of riders reporting that they feel safer using ride-hailing apps at night. Key safety features such as real-time GPS tracking, driver identification, vetted drivers, and door-to-door drop-offs contribute significantly to these perceptions.
The findings also illuminate the profound trust South Africans place in ride-hailing services to safeguard their loved ones. An impressive 93% of passengers have booked rides for someone else, often to ensure a family member or friend arrives home safely. Additionally, nearly 96% of users concur that in-app safety features enhance the overall safety of ride-hailing options, reflecting the essential role digital tools play in reassuring users and ensuring secure journeys.
Simo Kalajdzic, Senior Operations Manager at Bolt South Africa, articulated the company's unwavering commitment to enhancing safety.
“Safety is deeply personal for South Africans, and it remains an absolute priority for us at Bolt. Every decision we make, from product innovation to driver training is rooted in creating an environment where riders and drivers feel protected, respected, and supported. These findings affirm the trust the public has placed in us, and we are committed to continuously improving our in-app safety features to meet the evolving needs of everyone who uses our platform.”
Reflecting on the findings, Ipsos Director of Strategy for Sub Saharan Africa, Soyinka Witness, emphasised the significance of the results.
“Conducting this study offered a unique window into how South Africans perceive mobility, security, and trust. The results highlight how essential ride-hailing has become and how strongly safety considerations shape mobility choices. Features that provide control, visibility, and reassurance are central to users’ sense of security, particularly for women and young adults. We are proud to have partnered with Bolt on a study that brings meaningful data into an important national conversation.”
As South Africa continues to grapple with complex safety challenges, Bolt's investment in research, technology, and user education strengthens its mission to redefine mobility into a safer, more trusted experience for all. Insights from the Ipsos Safety Perception Study will guide ongoing enhancements to the platform, ensuring that both riders and drivers can move with confidence, day or night.
*This article was first published by IOL News
Former Public Protector and uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party member Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane has expressed interest in becoming the City of Johannesburg’s mayoral candidate, claiming she has the experience to “turn things around” in the metro.
In a recent interview with IOL News, Mkhwebane, who serves as the MK Party’s Mpumalanga convener, said she believes she has what it takes to be the Joburg mayor.
Mkhwebane was removed from office in 2023 by President Cyril Ramaphosa on grounds of misconduct and incompetence.
Asked whether the MK Party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, had approached her about the Johannesburg mayoral candidacy, she said she would be open to the role but emphasised that the decision rests with Zuma.
“I think that will be up to the president. Actually, it's not MK Party, it’s the president who decides. I must say I’m more than capable of doing any work, especially after six years, seven, 11 months as Public Protector. My record speaks for itself,” she said.
Although expressing interest in the mayoral race, Mkhwebane said she would respect the party’s decision.
“Now they have deployed me in Mpumalanga, and it’s up to them.”
Mkhwebane pointed out her experience investigating maladministration, service delivery failures, and corruption across state institutions as Public Protector.
She said this experience would make it easier for her to address Johannesburg’s challenges.
“To be hands-on, to be on the ground, especially with local government, you need somebody who understands the needs of communities, listens to the public, and works with them. Service delivery protests often happen because authorities fail to listen,” she said.
She added that effective leadership requires hiring competent personnel, particularly Section 56 managers, to ensure technical expertise in areas such as water and sanitation.
“I was also once a public servant up to the level of chief director. We need people who are committed, service delivery-orientated, and available to listen to the public,” she said.
The race for Johannesburg’s mayoral seat is heating up ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
So far, two candidates have officially entered the contest: Democratic Alliance (DA) federal council chairperson Helen Zille and Patriotic Alliance (PA) MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene.
Johannesburg continues to face severe service delivery issues, including water and electricity shortages, potholes, uncollected waste, and non-functioning streetlights and traffic signals.
The African National Congress (ANC) has not yet confirmed whether it will retain incumbent mayor Dada Morero or appoint a new high-profile candidate.
Morero previously told IOL News that the decision lies with the party.
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has indicated he would consider contesting the mayoralty if the party cannot find a suitable candidate like City of Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya and City of Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Xolani Dlamini.
Mkhwebane criticised both Zille and Kunene, claiming they would prioritise certain communities over others.
She said Zille, who previously served as Cape Town mayor and Western Cape premier, would continue to neglect predominantly black areas.
“You will find that Zille would not be bothered at Hillbrow, where there is hijacking, lack of services, and crime,” she said.
She similarly criticised Kunene, suggesting that his focus would be limited to serving coloured communities rather than addressing the needs of all residents.
Mkhwebane also took aim at the ANC, saying that the party had failed to improve the lives of Johannesburg residents over the past decade.
“Implementing bylaws, creating employment within the municipality, ensuring cleanliness, and maintaining service points are very simple service delivery issues that remain unaddressed,” she said.
IOL News reached out to MK Party national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela for comment on the mayoral race and Mkhwebane’s potential candidacy, but calls and messages went unanswered.
The DA’s director of communications, Matthew Gerstner, and PA national spokesperson Steven Motale acknowledged the receipt of the questions, but did not respond before publication.
*This article was first published by IOL News
Tensions escalated after Donald Trump announced that South Africa would be barred from the 2026 G20 summit and lose US financial support. He accused South Africa of ignoring human rights abuses. Pretoria rejected the claims, defended its G20 standing, and said the US skipped this year’s summit despite being invited.
Tensions between South Africa and the United States reached an all time low on Wednesday night after US President Donald Trump announced that South Africa would be barred from attending the next G20 summit.
Trump, speaking on his social media platform Truth Social, said he would block South Africa’s participation in the 2026 G20 summit – set to be hosted in Miami – and halt all financial support to the country.
His remarks followed South Africa’s refusal to symbolically pass the G20 presidency to a senior US Embassy representative at the close of this year’s summit in Johannesburg.
"The United States did not attend the G20 in South Africa because the South African government refuses to acknowledge or address the horrific human rights abuses endured by Afrikaners and other descendants of Dutch, French and German settlers,” Trump posted.
“To put it more bluntly, they are killing white people and randomly allowing their farms to be taken from them… At the conclusion of the G20, South Africa refused to hand off the G20 Presidency to a senior representative from our US Embassy, who attended the closing ceremony. Therefore, at my direction, South Africa will NOT be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20, which will be hosted in the great city of Miami, Florida next year.”
“South Africa has demonstrated to the world that they are not a country worthy of membership anywhere, and we are going to stop all payments and subsidies to them, effective immediately,” Trump added.
In a late-night response, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said Ramaphosa had noted the statement regarding South Africa’s G20 participation.
“South Africa will continue to participate as a full, active and constructive member of the G20,” Magwenya said.
“We call on all members of the G20 to reaffirm its continued operation in the spirit of multilateralism, based on consensus, with all members participating on an equal footing in all of its structures. It is regrettable that, despite the efforts and numerous attempts by President Ramaphosa and his administration to reset diplomatic relations with the United States, President Trump continues to apply punitive measures against South Africa based on misinformation and distortions.”
Magwenya confirmed that the US was invited to all meetings held under South Africa’s G20 presidency but had chosen not to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg.
“South Africa is a member of the G20 in its own name and right. Its membership is endorsed by all other member states. South Africa is also a sovereign, constitutional and democratic country, and does not appreciate insults from another nation about its standing in global forums,” Magwenya said.
“South Africa will never insult another country or question its standing in the international community.”
Magwenya concluded by clarifying that the handover of the G20 presidency had occurred in line with protocol: “As the United States was not present at the summit, the instruments of the G20 Presidency were duly handed over to a US Embassy official at the headquarters of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation.”
*This article was first published by IOL News
We are immensely proud to announce that our very own Refilwe Mochoari has been honoured with the prestigious Journalist of the Year Award for Best Features Documentary for the Free State, North West, Northern Cape, and Limpopo region.
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These accolades are a testament to Refilwe's exceptional talent, versatility, and dedication to excellence in journalism. From crafting powerful, human-centred documentaries to delivering incisive financial reporting, they consistently uphold the highest standards of our newsroom.
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For years South Africa’s broken visa system, slow border processing, and paper-based bureaucracy have effectively cost the country billions and blocked investment.
This is according to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.
“I would go so far as saying that they constitute a non-tariff barrier to investment in our country.”
Experts have warned that South Africa risks a multiplier effect on export volumes to the US, given that the 30% tariff is higher than that of rival exporters, making local products less competitive in the American market.
Donald MacKay, CEO of XA Global Trade Advisors, has said tariffs affect about 1.3% of South Africa’s gross domestic product.
The minister was speaking at the 12th edition of The European House – Ambrosetti CEO Dialogue on Southern Africa, held on the sidelines of the G20.
Schreiber said the Home Affairs ecosystem forms “the foundation of the state in any country”.
Yet, Schreiber said these institutions had for years been plagued by inefficiency.
“For many years, this ecosystem was associated with inefficiency, corruption, long queues, and paper-based manual systems.”
The minister linked these failures directly to the economy, highlighting lost tourism, blocked skills, and financial-sector fraud.
“Tourism was held back from key markets like China and India, primarily because of visa inefficiencies,” said Schreiber.
Schreiber added that “companies… struggled to attract critical skills, even though a study from the National Treasury identified this issue as the second biggest impediment to economic growth in our country after loan sharing”.
In addition, key issues identified by the Financial Action Tast Force when it placed South Africa on the greylist also plagued the country.
“Fraud and identity theft, particularly in the financial sector, costs the country billions,” said the minister.
Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, has said that Illicit Financial Flows – theft – is robbing South Africa of a massive $3.5 billion every year.
Schreiber added that slow processing at land borders and illicit trade robed South Africa of desperately needed tax revenue and holds back regional trade.
“These are all examples of critical economic issues that have a direct impact on South Africa's attractiveness as an investment destination.”
The department is now implementing new solutions to reverse the damage.
Visa reforms are also targeting corporate investment and skills shortages.
“Through regulatory change, we've already introduced the points-based system for world visa adjudication last year, which has created a more transparent and predictable system,” said Schreiber.
The creative sector, hit by visa unpredictability, now benefits from the Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme (STAGES).
“In one case, a R400 million Netflix project left South Africa behind, even though we were the preferred destination, and they went to Mexico instead because they couldn't get visas,” said Schreiber.
As a result, Schreiber said the department has “now launched… STAGES… to obtain their required documents within 24 hours.”
Schreiber said all these changes are part of a broader strategy to bring Home Affairs services to citizens efficiently.
*This article was first published by IOL News
