Ad Hoc Committee Demands KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi Publicly Apologise to Bheki Cele

Former Police Minister Bheki Cele.

By Mpho Dube – Editor‑in‑Chief, The Azanian

An ad‑hoc parliamentary committee has called for KwaZulu‑Natal police commissioner Lt‑Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to return to Parliament and issue a formal, public apology to former Police Minister Bheki Cele.

The demand follows Mkhwanazi’s retraction of an allegation that Cele had supplied a bank‑account number to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, an attempted‑murder suspect, and that Matlala had allegedly transferred money into that account.

In a statement to the committee, Cele flat‑out denied any involvement. “I had not seen the text message… I do not send any text messages, nor did I send any bank‑account details… I have never received payment from Mr Matlala, whether directly or through a third party,” he said.

Evidence leader Norman Arendse SC confirmed that Mkhwanazi had called to apologise, noting that the team’s analysis had misidentified the account number. “The allegation is withdrawn. With due apologies from Lt‑Gen Mkhwanazi for any inconvenience or hurt caused,” Arendse told the committee.

MPs, however, were not satisfied with a private phone apology. Julius Malema (EFF) insisted any retraction must be communicated in writing and presented to Parliament, the public, and Cele. ANC MP Khusela Diko Sangoni and DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach echoed the sentiment, arguing that a public allegation demands a public withdrawal.

“The commissioner can’t just send a little note to apologise. He must come here, explain why he withdrew it, how the mistake was made, and why it was irresponsible to broadcast such a claim,” Breytenbach said.

The committee, chaired by Soviet Lekganyane, has formally requested Mkhwanazi’s appearance to account for his actions and deliver the required public apology.