{
  "id": 1481363,
  "title": "Matlala: Bheki Cele claimed Senzo Mchunu wanted Khumalo fired, Khan to take over",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/matlala-bheki-cele-claimed-senzo-mchunu-wanted-khumalo-fired-khan-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-17T12:41:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-08-17-matlala-bheki-cele-claimed-senzo-mchunu-wanted-khumalo-fired-khan-to-take-over/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Police Minister Bheki Cele testified before the Madlanga Commission that alleged cartel member Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala claimed Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, the head of Crime Intelligence, was targeted for removal and a replacement by General Khumalo. According to Matlala, Cele informed him that Mchunu wished to fire Khumalo and replace him with Feroz Khan, the deputy. Matlala further explained that Cele believed the political fixer Brown Mogotsi, who was connected to Mchunu, could provide a route to the minister. Matlala, despite his distrust of Mogotsi, provided him with R150,000 and paid for his flights, as Cele believed the money trail would lead to Mchunu.",
  "summary": "Matlala, who is accused of being linked to a criminal activities, testified on Monday that former Police Minister Bheki Cele was the source of the claim.",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Police Minister Bheki Cele testified about Matlala's claims.",
    "Matlala alleged Khumalo was targeted for removal and Khan was to take over.",
    "Cele believed Brown Mogotsi could provide a route through money trail."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}