President Cyril Ramaphosa has come to the defense of Police Minister Bheki Cele amid calls for him to resign because the police force under his leadership has “collapsed”.
‘No direct correlation’
The leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) John Steenhuisen has already questioned Ramaphosa, asking how the crime statistics should not be acceptable to the president’s government before Cele was sacked.
“What is the average number of murders and rapes he can accept every day that his government can no longer accept, before he decides that a certain minister needs to be replaced?” DA leader said.
Steenhuisen’s parliamentary questions came in light of the release of third quarter crime statistics in November last year.
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But Ramaphosa, in a written response, defended Cele.
“There is no acceptable level of murder and rape. Society needs to work together to deal with crime, which among other things is a result of the socio-economic situation in our country.
“There is no direct relationship between the level of crime and the performance of the Minister of Police,” the president said.
“All departments and public entities have a role to play in reducing crime and protecting vulnerable people in society. The same goes for civil society, religious organizations, political parties and various community structures, which can do a lot to overcome the causes of crime,” he said.
‘Irresponsible talk’
In another reply, Ramaphosa told DA chief whip Siviwe Gwarube that Cele did not intentionally incite violence when the police minister asked law enforcement officers to “shoot first and ask questions later” in November last year.
Gwarube had questioned whether Ramaphosa had taken action to reprimand Cele for his “irresponsible remarks”.
“Fighting crime has taken its toll on members of the South African Police Service across the country.
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“Twenty-two police officers were killed between July and September 2022. Considering this, I was informed that the minister’s intention was to call members of the South African Police to defend themselves from criminals when attacked,” he said. the president said.
“The purpose is not to encourage police officers to commit violence, but to defend themselves when attacked using appropriate and proportionate force, and within the limits of the law.”
Cele is under increasing pressure to vacate his post – with opposition parties, civil society organizations and the police union calling for Ramaphosa’s sacking.
The police minister had previously said he would only resign if the president asked him to.
cabinet reshuffle
Ramaphosa is expected to reshuffle his cabinet within two weeks after several current ministers failed to make it to the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) at the party’s December elective conference.
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor, and Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu are among the officials absent from the NEC.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula on Tuesday indicated that the president is putting his mind to the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle.
Cele survived Ramaphosa’s reshuffle of his government in August 2021.
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