The SA Policing Union (Sapu) has called on police minister Nathi Mthethwa to place national police commissioner Bheki Cele on a “leave of absence” following the public protector's report on a property deal he was linked to.
Sapu general secretary Oscar Skommere said on Friday: “The fact that General Cele has been found to have acted improperly and there has also been a finding regarding maladministration, that is too much.”
He said the police could not afford to have a leader with a “cloud hanging over” his head.
“To say there was no money exchanged is not enough. The findings of the Public Protector make it a necessity that the Special Investigating Unit must get involved.
“Sapu would like to call upon the minister of police Mr Nathi Mthethwa to place Cele on a leave of absence from duty pending further investigation concerning the damning report.
“Controversial deals like these coming just after the conviction of the then national commissioner Mr Jackie Selebi do a lot of damage to the integrity of the police.”
Public protector advocate Thuli Madonsela released a report on Tuesday which found Cele jointly implicated in maladministration and improper conduct relating to attempts to secure new office space for the police with a R500 million lease.
She found that the accounting officer of the public works department was also guilty of improper conduct and maladministration.
On Thursday Cele said the police were seeking legal advice as he disputed the public protector's findings. - Sapa