KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has confirmed that businessman Vusimusi Matlala did not send money to former Police Minister Bheki Cele, but instead to a third party.
Mkhwanazi told Parliament’s ad hoc committee that the earlier claim arose from a data analysis error involving similar phone numbers, which caused confusion. Both investigators and Matlala mistakenly linked the payments to the wrong number. The statement has since been withdrawn and corrected.
“The analysts explained that there were also chats coming from a different number. The two numbers are almost identical, with a difference of only one digit. The owner of the number where the mistake occurred resides in Mpumalanga. Matlala deposited the money into this account,” Mkhwanazi said.
Meanwhile, Mkhwanazi criticised some committee members for appearing to pre-judge matters rather than focus on the evidence. Speaking on the final day of the probe into alleged political interference in the justice system, he stressed that the committee’s role is to carefully assess the facts before drawing conclusions.
“I’ve been observing and have been worried at times about the attitude I see from some members. The committee’s job is to listen to the evidence, not to make conclusions that certain individuals are wrong,” Mkhwanazi said.
He also commended Parliament’s dedication, noting that the long hours and rigorous work are likely welcomed by the public.
“Other than that, I think it’s been encouraging to see Parliament work these long hours, and I’m sure South Africans are quite happy about it. I am pleased with that,” he added.
VOC News
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