Minister Bheki Cele addressing the media during a Ministerial Meeting – [Photo: GCIS]
Minister Bheki Cele addressing the media during a Ministerial Meeting – [Photo: GCIS]
In these unprecedented times, it seems a pantomime villain has dominated the public discourse. Bheki Cele, the minister of police, is now facing a probe in Parliament due to his ‘conduct’ during the national lockdown.
The issue has been raised by Andrew Whitfield. The DA shadow minister also oversees police affairs, and is considered Bheki Cele’s opposite number. The politician has called out the Cabinet member, listing a number of ‘disgraceful comments’ he has made during the global health crisis. As Whitfield highlights:
Cele has very much cut an antagonistic figure during lockdown, doubling down on the prohibition of booze and cigarettes. Although there is international backing for these decisions, the minister has been accused of demonising drinkers by threatening to ban booze for good. Yeah, all the best with that one…
Whitfield and his colleagues have confirmed that an Ethics Committee has been sought to evaluate Bheki Cele’s recent behaviour. According to the DA, his actions have incited police brutality.
“We will be referring Police Minister Bheki Cele to Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests to investigate his conduct during the national lockdown. The Minister has made a number of reckless comments in the past 21 days which have shocked the nation.”
“These disgraceful comments are unbecoming of a member of Parliament and a member of the Executive. We believe Cele has not shown ethical leadership by encouraging SAPS to act outside the law.”
Andrew Whitfield