Cele Must Declare His Role in Dodgy Police Deal

Inkatha Freedom Party (Durban)

27 July 2011

press release

The IFP has taken note of the fact that, despite two media conferences being scheduled and subsequently cancelled, there is still no word from police Commissioner General Bheki Cele on the Public Protector’s damning report that found him guilty of maladministration.

“Commissioner Bheki Cele’s silence speaks volumes,” said Mr Velaphi Ndlovu MP, the IFP’s spokesperson on police. “We must assume then, in the absence of any explanation on his part, that he is indeed guilty as charged,” added Ndlovu.

Ndlovu said that the response by Cabinet to the Public Protector’s report leaves must to be desired.

“We have a situation were Minister Mahlangu-Nkabinde and Commissioner Cele are both mum on the issue. We have a President and Cabinet who seemingly lack the political will to act on the damning report, while the Government’s spokesperson Jimmy Manyi is on record as saying that government believes that the two individuals did nothing wrong. This a national disgrace!” said Ndlovu.

Ndlovu said that the IFP demands immediate action from the Executive on the matter. “No further delays should be tolerated. In any other functioning democracy, a matter as serious as this would have been dealt with expediently. Those implicated would have been fired or they would have acted sensibly and responsibly by resigning. Surely, our government can no longer proclaim to be dealing ruthlessly with crime and corruption when we have seen such inaction on a matter of national importance? This ANC syndrome of protecting one’s cronies will be the undoing of our democracy,” concluded Ndlovu.

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