Key Takeaways
- The ANC integrity commission has advised former police minister Bheki Cele to consider resigning from the party’s national executive committee (NEC).
- The recommendation threatens Cele’s bid to become the ANC’s mayoral candidate for the eThekwini metro ahead of the November 2026 local‑government elections.
- Cele is accused of maintaining contact with individuals linked to criminal activity, notably businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, and of accepting cash payments from him.
- Party insiders claim a double standard, pointing out that other leaders facing similar allegations have not been treated as harshly.
- Calls are growing within the NEC for the integrity commission’s findings to be made binding, arguing that selective implementation undermines the ANC’s renewal agenda.
- Despite the controversy, Cele retains strong grassroots support in KwaZulu‑Natal, especially among township communities, and was viewed as a unifying figure to counter the rising MK Party.
- The ANC lost outright control of eThekwini in 2021 and now governs the metro through a fragile coalition; the MK Party aims to seize the metro in the upcoming elections.
- The outcome of the NEC’s deliberations will shape the ANC’s candidate selection, its internal credibility, and its prospects in KwaZulu‑Natal.
Overview of the Integrity Commission’s Recommendation
The ANC’s integrity commission, often called internally the “body of elders,” has issued a stark recommendation that former police minister Bheki Cele should consider resigning from the party’s national executive committee. The commission’s briefing to the NEC highlighted allegations that Cele continued to associate with individuals accused of criminal conduct even after leaving the cabinet. While the commission stopped short of imposing a sanction, it asked Cele to explain why he should not step down, signalling that its preliminary view favoured his removal from the NEC and a temporary withdrawal from all party activities pending disciplinary processes.
Political Implications in KwaZulu‑Natal and eThekwini
The recommendation has reverberated through ANC structures in KwaZulu‑Natal, where influential figures had been grooming Cele as the party’s mayoral candidate for the crucial eThekwini metro in the November 2026 local‑government elections. At least four ANC insiders confirmed that the NEC had been briefed on the integrity commission’s findings, and the news has thrown the party’s election strategy into disarray. A provincial leader noted that Cele had already been included in the regional election plan and was actively campaigning, leaving the ANC uncertain how to proceed without jeopardising its chances in the metro.
Details of the Allegations Against Cele
Central to the integrity commission’s concerns are Cele’s alleged links to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a businessman described as an underworld figure implicated in attempted murder, money laundering, and ties to criminal syndicates. During testimony before parliament’s ad hoc committee on political interference in the criminal justice system, Matlala claimed that Cele had solicited money from him and stayed at his luxury Pretoria penthouse, allegedly receiving R500,000 in cash in two instalments. Cele has denied wrongdoing, stating that any meeting with Matlala was aimed at gathering intelligence. Additional testimony from businessman Brown Mogotsi before the Madlanga commission asserted that Cele had been presented with an intelligence dossier in 2018 linking Matlala to violent criminal networks and the so‑called “John Wick” killings in Gauteng.
Comparative Treatment of Other ANC Leaders
Insiders within the ANC argue that the integrity commission’s handling of Cele reveals a double standard. They point to cases involving former social development minister Sisisi Tolashe and deputy secretary‑general Maropene Ramokgopa, who appeared before the commission after allegations surfaced that ANC‑donated vehicles were used for personal gain. While Tolashe has been fired from the cabinet and is expected to resign as ANC Women’s League president, the commission’s deliberations on Cele appeared less decisive; after considering his response, no final conclusion was reached that he should resign, leaving the matter to the NEC. One insider lamented, “Where is the report on Senzo [Mchunu]? Where is the report on Maropene [Ramokgopa]? Bheki is at odds with Mchunu, so suddenly the wheels of justice move faster for him.” This perception has fueled accusations that the commission is being used factionally.
Internal Party Reactions and Calls for Binding Implementation
The controversy has sparked debate inside the NEC about the authority of the integrity commission. Some NEC members contend that once the commission makes findings, its recommendations should be binding to prevent selective implementation and uphold the ANC’s renewal pledge. “The organisation cannot preach renewal and then ignore its own processes,” said one NEC insider. Conversely, Cele’s supporters accuse the commission of targeting leaders aligned to particular factions, arguing that the process lacks transparency and impartiality. The tension underscores a broader struggle within the ANC between enforcing internal accountability and managing factional loyalties.
Cele’s Political Profile and Grassroots Support
Despite the allegations, Bheki Cele remains a highly recognisable figure in KwaZulu‑Natal politics. He began his career as an MEC for transport, community safety & liaison, rose to become the provincial chair of the ANC in KwaZulu‑Natal, served as national police commissioner, and later returned to the cabinet as police minister under President Cyril Ramaphosa. Known for his populist style, fiery rhetoric, and tough‑on‑crime image, Cele has cultivated significant grassroots support, especially among township communities and ordinary ANC supporters. Provincial leaders have praised his ability to connect with voters on the ground, arguing that his candidacy could help the ANC reclaim lost ground in eThekwini and stem the growing influence of former president Jacob Zuma and the MK Party.
Electoral Landscape and Threats from MK Party
The ANC’s hold on eThekwini has weakened considerably. The party lost outright control of the metro in the 2021 local‑government elections, with its support falling to 42 %—the first time since 2006 it failed to secure a governing majority. Currently, eThekwini is administered by a coalition comprising the ANC, the EFF, the IFP, and the National Freedom Party. The 2024 national and provincial elections saw the MK Party surge to victory in KwaZulu‑Natal, humiliating the ANC and prompting internal calls to disband the provincial executive committee. The MK Party now aims to build on that success by wresting control of eThekwini from the ANC in the upcoming local elections. Analysts warn that without a candidate who can mobilise grassroots sentiment, the ANC risks further electoral setbacks in the province’s most populous metro.
Conclusion and Outlook
The integrity commission’s recommendation has placed Bheki Cele at a crossroads, forcing the ANC to weigh his electoral appeal against the need to uphold internal disciplinary standards. Should the NEC accept the commission’s view and ask Cele to step aside, the party will need to identify an alternative candidate capable of challenging the MK Party’s momentum in eThekwini. Conversely, if the NEC opts to retain Cele despite the allegations, it risks accusations of hypocrisy and could undermine its renewal narrative. The outcome of the NEC’s deliberations will not only shape the immediate mayoral contest but also signal how seriously the ANC intends to enforce its integrity mechanisms moving forward. As the November 2026 elections approach, the party’s handling of this affair will be closely watched by voters, rivals, and internal stakeholders alike.