Top cop must be fired and not be given option to resign, says DA

Suspended police commissioner Bheki Cele should not be allowed to resign from his job, but should be fired, the DA said yesterday.

“Anything short of a dishonourable expulsion… would portray President Jacob Zuma as weak on acting against crime and corruption, and even weaker on acting against ANC cronies,” said DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard.

“The Public Protector’s finding that Cele acted unlawfully and improperly and was guilty of maladministration is reason enough for the president to take a tough stance and give the man the boot,” she said.

Earlier, Cele’s spokesman, Vuyo Mkhize, said Cele would leave his position if Zuma asked him to.

However, if Zuma used the findings of a report by a board of inquiry chaired by Judge Jake Moloi, then Cele would challenge these in court.

The board of inquiry was mandated to establish whether Cele acted corruptly, dishonestly or with an undeclared conflict of interest in relation to two police lease deals signed with tycoon Roux Shabangu.

Mkhize said Cele was “fed up” because he felt Judge Moloi’s findings were not legally valid.

The inquiry, which has submitted its report to Zuma, reportedly found that Cele lacked the capacity to execute his official duties efficiently and was not fit to hold office. It also apparently found that his grave misconduct as national police commissioner and apparent unlawful conduct further proved he was unable to hold office.

Evidence reportedly also suggested there was a questionable relationship between Cele and Shabangu.

Cele is waiting to hear whether he has been fired. Zuma’s spokesman, Mac Maharaj, said yesterday there was no indication when Zuma would make an announcement on Cele.

Kohler Barnard said she would submit questions to Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa on whether he had complied with the recommendations of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela. – Sapa