Former police minister Bheki Cele has revealed how strained his relationship has become with his long-time comrade and now suspended Minister Senzo Mchunu.

Testifying at the parliamentary inquiry probing allegations KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made about political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system, Cele painted a picture of a relationship that was once supportive and cordial, but has soured as tensions arise over political ambitions and decision-making processes.

During the inquiry on Thursday, Cele was asked by ANC MP Xola Nqola to describe his relationship with Mchunu.

He said he never took a drink with the suspended minister.

“Unfortunately, I don’t drink. I don’t take alcohol,” he said.

While Cele acknowledged their lengthy alliance within the same political faction, he also pointed to instances of support he offered to Mchunu during challenging times, such as when Mchunu faced attacks as premier or lost the ANC secretary-general contest to Ace Magashule.

Their joint backing of President Cyril Ramaphosa marked a significant political milestone, leading to both receiving positions in the Cabinet and the ANC national executive committee.

Cele also told of how he supported Mchunu during bereavements and their wives being friends too.

“We have been quite cordial,” he said. “I don’t think it is a very hostile relationship overall.”

Cele expressed disappointment in Mchunu’s response to his communications following his non-reappointment to the Cabinet last year.

He disclosed that after requesting a meeting with Mchunu three times for a proper handover, they eventually met for two hours, during which Cele assured Mchunu that he was a phone call away.

“I never received a call since that day, not even once. That relationship of working together in political matters, I don’t know what happened to it.”

He said even his attempts to meet him after Mchunu issued a directive to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) did not materialise.

“Even the PKTT, we could have better discussed,” said Cele, adding that he had given Mchunu a thick handover document.

The former minister stated that Mchunu’s reasons to disband the PKTT were based on a wrong premise.

When asked about the documents Mchunu shared with the inquiry, where there was an article about him participating in SAPS affairs and there was an insinuation he was playing a role in what was happening in the police, Cele said he can’t be held responsible for what journalists write.

“That is the problem. He should have contacted me and asked,” he added.

Cele further revealed that attempted murder-accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s alleged discussion involved himself, Mchunu, and businessman Brown Mogotsi about funding a campaign for Mchunu’s aspirations to ascend to a higher position within the ANC.

“What puzzled him (Matlala) to want to meet me is that he was told by the minister, ‘we will work together so long you don’t come close to Cele and Zuma,” he said.

It was in a meeting with Matlala that he learnt Mchunu was planning to arrest him for a police accommodation tender that was awarded when he was the police commissioner in 2010.

The former minister, who has been critical of Mchunu’s handling of the disbandment of the PKTT, said he did not invite the information about his successor’s political ambitions.

“But I will not say I don’t want to hear it,” he said.

Asked why Mchunu would want his arrested, Cele said: “He can answer that best.”

However, he speculated that the change in the relationship with Mchunu could have something to do with processes of ANC elective conferences.

“The suspicion is not supporting the cause of somebody becoming the president or deputy. Maybe, I support other people,” said Cele.

The former minister said it was interesting that he was part of discussions of Mchunu’s campaign to be president or deputy.

“It would be good to speak to the minister as my comrade about it. That has not happened as I made it a fact that I did try, but I did not win the battle.”

However, Cele thought he and Mchunu were not seeing eye to eye; it has nothing to do with the ANC.

“He is my comrade,” he said.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za

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