Bheki Cele Cit heists

Police Minister Bheki Cele briefs media on a significant breakthrough on corruption within the Prison and Home Affairs environment. (Photo: GCIS)

Watch: Bheki Cele ejects JP Smith from Total Shutdown meeting [video]

According to Police Minister, Bheki Cele, JP Smith wasn’t invited to the meeting.

Bheki Cele Cit heists

Police Minister Bheki Cele briefs media on a significant breakthrough on corruption within the Prison and Home Affairs environment. (Photo: GCIS)

South African Police Minister, Bheki Cele, gave Cape Town’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, the proverbial boot at a meeting involving communities affected by the Total Shutdown protest.

Embattled Cape Flats residents took to the streets on Tuesday to voice their concerns and frustrations over the lack of proper policing and service delivery in their communities. The protest, which aimed to shut down roads as a means of drawing attention to the cause, descended into chaos near Bonteheuwel.

Cape Town Total Shutdown gets Bheki Cele’s attention

Law enforcement agencies proceeded to disrupt the protest by using stun grenades and water cannons to disperse crowds. Community activists were arrested.

Smith complained that protesters had gathered illegally, flouting regulatory processes and failing to file applications for civil demonstrations, stating:

“The organisers did not make any application in terms of national legislation (Regulation of Gatherings Act). The “illegality” is moot due to Constitutional Court ruling around RGA.”

The protester’s pleas found their way to the top, as Minister Cele agreed to a meeting with the Total Shutdown organisers on Wednesday. Cele arrived in Bonteheuwel and was met with frustrated community members.

JP Smith, uninvited and unwelcome at the meeting

The source of contention was Smith’s unwelcome presence at the meeting. Total Shutdown leader Henrietta Abrahams demanded that Smith, along with Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Angus McKenzie, leave the venue. Yet, Smith remained resolute, reaffirming his right to be present during the discussions.

News24 journalist, Christina Pitt, managed to capture the altercation, and subsequent community reaction, on camera.

Ultimately, Cele took it upon himself to excommunicate Smith from the meeting. According to eyewitnesses, Cele dealt with the matter fairly, stating that Smith had not been invited to the meeting, and as such, should step aside.

An angry Smith, ironically, protested Cele’s demands, but eventually got out from the panel and left the venue.

The Bonteheuwel hall erupted in cheers has Smith sauntered out of the building, with McKenzie in tow. As the two DA executives made their way to the exit, community member mocked and shouted, some even showing Smith the middle finger.