What lies ahead for Cele?

(File image) Bheki Cele. Photo: Antoine de Ras

(File image) Bheki Cele. Photo: Antoine de Ras

Published Jun 6, 2012

Share

Johannesburg - Suspended police commissioner Bheki Cele will be fired, according to reports carried by City Press, News24 and the SABC on Wednesday evening.

The presidency said earlier in the day that President Jacob Zuma will make his decision on Cele known when he is “ready” to do so.

Presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj was reacting to a news report on SABC radio that Cele was about to be fired.

“We cannot comment on those reports. The president will make his decision known when he is ready,” Maharaj said.

Last month, a board of inquiry appointed by Zuma found Cele unfit to hold office and recommended he be fired. He has been suspended since last year.

The inquiry followed a finding in July by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela that Cele’s involvement in deals to acquire police office space was “improper, unlawful and amounted to maladministration”.

Madonsela concluded that while Cele had not signed the final lease, he had initiated negotiations with property tycoon Roux Shabangu, and had seemed determined to secure the leases despite warnings against them.

The Democratic Alliance has said that Zuma must announce whether he has fired Cele.

“President Zuma must tell the police and the public whether he has indeed sacked Cele,” said Dianne Kohler Barnard, the DA spokesperson on police.

“The ongoing uncertainty about the situation in the top brass of the South African Police Service undermines police morale, public confidence in the police and the fight against crime,” she said. - Sapa and IOL

Related Topics: