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Bheki Cele

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The Honourable
Bheki Cele
Cele at a press conference in June 2010
Minister of Police
In office
26 February 2018 – 17 June 2024
PresidentCyril Ramaphosa
Preceded byFikile Mbalula
Succeeded bySenzo Mchunu
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
In office
26 May 2014 – 24 February 2018
PresidentJacob Zuma
Cyril Ramaphosa
MinisterSenzeni Zokwana
Preceded byPieter Mulder
National Commissioner of the South African Police Service
In office
July 2009 – October 2011
PresidentJacob Zuma
MinisterNathi Mthethwa
Preceded byJackie Selebi
Succeeded byRiah Phiyega
Deputy Provincial Secretary of the African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal
In office
1996–1998
Provincial ChairpersonJacob Zuma
Provincial SecretarySipho Gcabashe
Preceded bySifiso Nkabinde
Succeeded bySenzo Mchunu
Personal details
Born
Bhekokwakhe Hamilton Cele

(1952-04-22) 22 April 1952 (age 72)
Umzumbe, Natal, Union of South Africa
Political partyAfrican National Congress
Spouses
Thando Ngcobo
​
(divorced)​
Thembeka Ngcobo
​
(m. 2010)​
[1]
Occupation
  • Politician
  • legislator
  • police officer

  • military veteran

  • anti-apartheid activist
ProfessionTeacher
Military service
AllegianceUnion of South Africa
Branch/serviceUmkhonto We Sizwe
Years of service1984 – 1994
UnitUnderground unit
CommandsSouth African National Defence Force
Police career
DepartmentSouth African Police Service
Department of Police (South Africa)
Service years2009 – present
RankGeneral
Commissioner

Bhekokwakhe "Bheki" Hamilton Cele (born 22 April 1952)[2][3] was the South African Minister of Police from February 2018 to 17 June 2024.[4] He was National Commissioner of the South African Police Service for two years, until misconduct allegations led to his suspension in October 2011 and removal in June 2012.[5] He has also served as Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, on the KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council, and in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature. He is a member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress, and was imprisoned on Robben Island during apartheid.[6][7]

Life and career

[edit]

Cele was born on 22 April 1952 in Umzumbe, Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal).[8][9] He holds a teacher's diploma, and in 1980 became a founding member of the progressive, non-racial National Education Union of South Africa.[2][10] In exile in Angola in the mid-1980s, he joined Umkhonto we Sizwe, and he was imprisoned on Robben Island from 1987 until he was released, along with other political prisoners, in 1990.[8][7]

1994-2009: KwaZulu-Natal government

[edit]

In the 1994 elections, Cele was elected to the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature. During his time in the legislature, he served as Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Safety and Security and later as the chairperson of chairpersons.[2] From 2004, he was member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison in KwaZulu-Natal.[11][12][8]

2009-present: National government

[edit]

In July 2009, he was appointed National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS).[2][11][13] He was fired in June 2012, following allegations that he had been involved in unlawful property deals.[5][14] Thereafter, he was Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from May 2014 until late February 2018, when President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed him Minister of Police in his first cabinet reshuffle.[2][4] Reaction to Cele's appointment was mixed.[15][16] He was reappointed as police minister following the 2019 general election. Cele lost his seat in the National Assembly at the 2024 general election.[17]

ANC membership

[edit]

Cele remains a member of the African National Congress (ANC), and currently serves in its chief executive organ, the National Executive Committee.[18][6] For a period in the mid-1990s, he was safety and security spokesman for the party's KwaZulu-Natal branch, and in the 2000s he served as party chairman in the eThekwini region.[19][20][21] In the 2000s, Cele was characterised as an ally of Jacob Zuma.[7][22][23][24][25] However, during the hotly contested ANC leadership elections of 2017, he aligned himself with Cyril Ramaphosa and against Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.[26][27]

Controversies

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"Shoot-to-kill" remarks and use of deadly force

[edit]

In July 2007, the Sowetan reported that Cele, then MEC for safety in KwaZulu-Natal, had told a meeting in Durban that police should "shoot to kill" when confronting criminals, as well as making other remarks endorsing the use of deadly force.[28][29] Although Cele denied that he used the words "shoot to kill," he admitted to having made other similar remarks, including, "We cannot allow police to be killed by criminals. Once criminals pull their guns, police must aim for the head."[28][29] In 2010, Cele sued the Sowetan for defamation, and R200 000 in damages, on the basis of two of its 2007 reports on the saga, including one published alongside a digitally altered photograph of Cele holding a gun. The case was dismissed.[28][29] A reporter from the Sowetan testified that he was personally present at the meeting in Durban and had heard Cele utter the remarks; and the court pointed out that the only other newspaper to send a reporter to the meeting, the Citizen, had also reported that Cele had called for police to shoot to kill.[29]

In August 2009, shortly after taking office as National Commissioner of SAPS, Cele caused a national controversy when he allegedly repeated the "shoot to kill" remarks to the Weekend Argus. Speaking about a proposed amendment to Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which outlines grounds for the justifiable use of deadly force, Cele reportedly said that police should be able to "shoot to kill" criminals without worrying about "what happens after that."[30][31][32] Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Cele denied that he had said the police should shoot to kill – instead, his point had been that it was dangerous for police officers to be unsure about whether they were permitted to use deadly force in a confrontation with an armed criminal.[7] Elsewhere he clarified that police should not shoot innocent people, but should "decisively defend themselves" against armed and dangerous criminals.[33] Asked about his remarks in 2018, after his appointment as Minister of Police, he again denied that he had used the phrase "shoot to kill," but said, "I’ve said that... when [police] deal with the tough brutal criminals, they must not die with their guns in their hands and I still say so."[34] Since then, he has on several occasions reminded SAPS officers that they should use deadly force when necessary.[35][36][37][38]

Conflict with Inkatha Freedom Party

[edit]

In January 2009, in the run-up to the elections, Cele was present at a stand-off between ANC supporters and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) supporters at an ANC rally in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal. The IFP accused Cele of provoking police to "brutalize" IFP supporters.[39][40] Cele claimed that these claims were defamatory and, in February, filed a court application to interdict their publication.[41] The application was dismissed.[42]

Roux Property Fund property deals

[edit]

In early 2011, when Cele was National Commissioner of SAPS, the Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, found that the government had leased office buildings in Pretoria and Durban – intended to serve as police headquarters – at vastly inflated rates. The leases were worth more than R1.5 billion and were signed with Roux Property Fund. Madonsela said that the deals were "unlawful" and "illegitimate," and she held Cele – along with the Minister of Public Works, Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde – responsible.[24] She deemed his conduct "improper, unlawful and amounting to maladministration."[43] Although he had not signed the lease for the Pretoria building personally, he had signed a memorandum authorising funding for the lease.[44] Cele denied any wrongdoing.[5]

In October 2011, the then President Jacob Zuma suspended Cele with pay, pending the outcome of an inquiry, chaired by former judge Jake Moloi,[45][46] into his possible misconduct.[47] One of the questions pursued by the board of inquiry was the extent of Cele's relationship with Roux Shabangu of the Roux Property Fund[48] – that is, whether Cele's conduct had been not only unlawful but also corrupt, as some have suggested.[49] The board of inquiry found that Cele had been dishonest and was unfit for office, and recommended his dismissal.[50][51][52] On 12 June 2012, Zuma announced that he had fired Cele on the basis of these findings.[53][54][55] Nearly seven years later, however, in April 2019, the Pretoria High Court set aside the inquiry's report, following a protracted legal struggle by Cele to clear his name.[45][56][57][58]

Whistleblower protection

[edit]

In 2018 the Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, claimed that Cele and SAPS had failed to provide personal protection to two whistleblowers who had reported corruption in the Umzimkulu municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.[59] However, Cele took the report under judicial review, and in 2020 the Gauteng North High Court declared it invalid, clearing Cele of all wrongdoing. The court said that, as set out in legislation, it is not the responsibility of the police to ensure that witnesses and whistleblowers receive personal protection.[60]

COVID-19 pandemic

[edit]

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Cele's leadership of the police was criticised, with Cele accused of "excessive policing" of compliance with lockdown regulations.[61][62]

Gun control

[edit]

Cele supports strict gun control, and has said that he does not think that private citizens should be permitted to own firearms.[63] A piece of gun control legislation introduced under his police ministry in 2021, the Firearms Control Amendment Bill, has encountered opposition from some civil society groups.[64][65][66][67][68] Under the proposed law, self-defence would not be considered a valid reason for seeking a firearm license.[69] Cele has defended the Bill on the grounds that most murders in South Africa are committed with firearms.[65][69]

Incident with Ian Cameron

[edit]

In an event in Gugulethu, Police Minister Bheki Cele had a confrontation with Ian Cameron, director of community safety for Action Society, a non-profit organisation focusing on violent crime. The incident occurred during a community policing engagement where Cameron made comments regarding the community having to do the work of the police, which appeared to agitate Cele. Cele responded with remarks about his experiences during apartheid and shouted "shut up" at Cameron before officials removed Cameron from the premises.[70] Cameron later expressed that his issue was not with Cele personally but with the position he occupied and his handling of crime-related matters.[71] This incident highlighted tensions and differing perspectives on community safety, police efficacy, and responsibility in addressing crime.[72]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Naidoo, Alicia (3 January 2022). "Bheki Cele: A young wife, baby mama, and 'forgotten' love child". The South African. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Bheki Cele, Gen". South African Government. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  3. ^ South African Government. "Bheki Cele, Gen". www.gov.za. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  4. ^ a b Plessis, Carien du (27 February 2018). "Cabinet Reshuffle: SA government gets a full makeover". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "South Africa police chief Bheki Cele fired by Jacob Zuma". BBC News. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  6. ^ a b "The National Executive Committee". African National Congress. 23 April 2018. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d Dixon, Robyn (27 September 2009). "South Africa struggles with rising crime". Los Angeles Times. Johannesburg. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  8. ^ a b c "Bheki Cele". KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport. 2004. Archived from the original on 10 August 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  9. ^ Mbanjwa, Bheki (30 July 2009). "Ex-MEC known as man of action". The Cape Argus. Archived from the original on 13 November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  10. ^ "National Education Union of South Africa information sheet".
  11. ^ a b "Why I chose Bheki Cele - Jacob Zuma". Politicsweb. 29 July 2009. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  12. ^ "Bheki Cele". People's Assembly. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  13. ^ "The Presidency | Announcement of new National Police Commissioner". 23 April 2016. Archived from the original on 23 April 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  14. ^ Conway-Smith, Eric (12 June 2012). "South Africa: Police chief Bheki Cele fired by President Jacob Zuma". The World from PRX. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  15. ^ Mbhele, Zakhele (27 February 2018). "Bheki Cele's appointment is a sham". Politicsweb. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  16. ^ Kock, Chris De (27 February 2018). "Op-Ed: Bheki Cele – the proof of the pudding is in the eating". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  17. ^ Merten, Marianne (5 June 2024). "The ANC haemorrhaging continues — Cele, Modise, Zulu and Pandor won't return as MPs". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  18. ^ "NEC subcommittees". African National Congress. 2018. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  19. ^ "TRC hearing in PMB adjourned for second time due to protestors". South African Press Association. 20 November 1996. Archived from the original on 3 March 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  20. ^ "Individuals, and not the ANC against me: Holomisa". South African Press Association. 4 September 1996. Archived from the original on 3 March 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  21. ^ Munusamy, Ranjeni (11 June 2012). "Bheki Cele: Zuma's rock, hard and complicated place". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  22. ^ "Once they were comrades, now Cele arrests Zuma, who fired him as police commissioner". The Mail & Guardian. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  23. ^ Jasson da Costa, Wendy (30 July 2009). "Cele shoots from the hip". IOL. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  24. ^ a b "South Africa police chief Bheki Cele in 'unlawful deal'". BBC News. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  25. ^ Plessis, Carien du (23 September 2011). "Zuma to Cele: Tell me why you shouldn't leave". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  26. ^ "Cele poised to intensify role in #CR17". The Mail & Guardian. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  27. ^ Head, Tom (11 December 2017). ""Dlamini-Zuma will keep ANC under Gupta control" - Minister Bheki Cele". The South African. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  28. ^ a b c Nhlabathi, Hlengiwe (20 December 2014). "'Shoot to kill' rant to haunt Bheki Cele - ex police boss loses court case against Sowetan". The Sowetan. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  29. ^ a b c d "Cele v Avusa Media Ltd (08/10831)". SAFLII. 14 February 2013. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  30. ^ Goldstone, Carvin (1 August 2009). "Police must shoot to kill, worry later - Cele". IOL. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  31. ^ Smith, David (16 September 2009). "South Africa considers 'shoot to kill' policing ahead of World Cup". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  32. ^ "Cele calls for greater powers for cops". The Mail & Guardian. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  33. ^ "Cele takes a jab at media on "shoot-to-kill" statement". South African Government News Agency. 28 February 2013. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  34. ^ Thapelo, Lekabe (1 March 2018). "Bheki Cele denies ever calling for police to 'shoot to kill'". The Citizen. Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  35. ^ Nkosi, Nomazina (24 December 2019). "Use deadly force – Bheki Cele". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 24 December 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  36. ^ "Police allowed to use deadly force when under attack: Cele". SABC News. 22 February 2019. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  37. ^ Nair, Nivashni (6 November 2019). "'Criminals don't carry feather dusters' - Cele tells cops not to die with a gun in their hands". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 6 November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  38. ^ "Cele tells police officers to use 'deadly force' to protect South Africans, themselves". East Coast Radio. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  39. ^ Buthelezi, Mangosuthu (9 February 2009). "Bheki Cele to blame for Nongoma violence". Politicsweb. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  40. ^ "IFP blames Nongoma violence on Safety MEC". EWN. 2 February 2009. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  41. ^ "Cele waits on outcome of court bid". The Mail & Guardian. 21 August 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  42. ^ Kuppan, Irene (9 September 2009). "Cele demands an apology". Independent Online. South Africa. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  43. ^ "Cele 'fingerprints' all over KZN lease". The Mail & Guardian. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  44. ^ "Cele found guilty". IOL. 23 February 2011. Archived from the original on 2 May 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  45. ^ a b Sidimba, Loyiso (10 April 2019). "Court clears Bheki Cele". The Star. South Africa. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  46. ^ "Cele still challenging his axing". The Sowetan. 29 May 2014. Archived from the original on 13 February 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  47. ^ "Bheki Cele suspended over lease saga". News24. 24 October 2011. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  48. ^ "Inquiry hears of Cele-Shabangu meeting". The Sunday Times. 6 March 2012. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  49. ^ Hoffman, Paul (2 May 2019). "Cyril's shocking side-step of Cele's impunity - Paul Hoffman". BizNews. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  50. ^ Hawker, Dianne; Khanyile, Gcwalisile (27 May 2012). "Top cops lied for commissioner, Roux Shabangu manipulated him". Sunday Independent. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  51. ^ "Criminal probe of Cele actions recommended". LegalBrief. 2012. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  52. ^ De Lange, Deon; Mpofu, Michael (25 May 2012). "Cele rubbishes inquiry". Daily News. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  53. ^ "South Africa police chief Bheki Cele fired by Jacob Zuma". BBC News. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  54. ^ "Bheki Cele fired". News24. 12 June 2012. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  55. ^ "Zuma fired Cele for being 'dishonest'". The Mail & Guardian. 30 September 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  56. ^ "Zuma's decision to fire Bheki Cele in 2012 set aside". The Citizen. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  57. ^ Bateman, Barry (9 April 2019). "High Court sets aside 2012 decision to fire Bheki Cele as police commissioner". EWN. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  58. ^ Mabuza, Ernest (9 April 2019). "Court sets aside Jacob Zuma's 2012 decision to axe Bheki Cele as top cop". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  59. ^ Maphanga, Canny (16 August 2018). "Cele to challenge Public Protector's findings that SAPS failed to protect whistleblowers | News24". News24. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  60. ^ Mahlangu, Thato (11 June 2020). "Cele cleared of wrongdoing by court, PP's report set aside". Corruption Watch. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  61. ^ Thebus, Shakirah (8 January 2021). "Crime-riddled communities criticise excessive policing of Cape Town beaches". IOL. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  62. ^ "Police union slams Cele as it asks Ramaphosa to intervene in 'feud' with national commissioner". The Sowetan. 17 June 2021. Archived from the original on 17 June 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  63. ^ Selisho, Kaunda (18 April 2019). "Bheki Cele expresses wish to disarm all private citizens in SA". The Citizen. Archived from the original on 18 April 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  64. ^ Meyer, Dan (7 June 2021). "Firearms: SAPS accused of 'giving guns to gangs while disarming citizens'". The South African. Archived from the original on 7 June 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  65. ^ a b Merrington, Zalene (24 May 2021). "Outcry against firearms control amendment bill aimed to scrap gun ownership for self defence". SABC News. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  66. ^ Coetzer, Marizka (4 August 2021). "'Police incapable of protecting public,' say critics of new gun laws". The Citizen. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  67. ^ Panchia, Yeshiel (18 June 2021). "Fire And Fury: The Debate Around Gun Ownership in South Africa". Forbes Africa. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  68. ^ Mlamla, Sisonke (5 August 2021). "Gun owners await outcome of Firearms Bill as public participation ends". IOL. Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  69. ^ a b Shoba, Sandisiwe (12 June 2021). "Firearms Control Amendment Bill: The dark side of the war of words over proposed gun regulations". Daily Maverick. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  70. ^ Patrick, Alex. "Ian Cameron: Who exactly is Bheki Cele's new nemesis?". Times LIVE. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  71. ^ Mtumbu, Xolile (13 July 2022). "Meet Ian Cameron, the man who wants to take down Bheki Cele". IOL. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  72. ^ Retief, Hanlie (26 July 2020). "Hanlie Retief gesels met Ian Cameron". Netwerk24. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
Preceded by National Commissioner of the South African Police Service
2009 – 2011 		Succeeded by
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