Axe Bheki Cele for sleeping on the job

AFRIFORUM has written a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa requesting detailed feedback on the Minister of Police Bheki Cele’s professional performance, as expected from him according to his presidential performance agreement.

The agreement signed between Cele and Ramaphosa took effect in June 2019 and comes to an end in April this year. The agreement clearly stipulates targets in crime reduction and successful prosecution that Cele is expected to reach.

According to the performance agreement, Cele is expected to ensure the following, among other obligations:

s ! CONVICTION RATE FOR serious fraud and corruption in the private sector.

s ! CONVICTION RATE FOR serious fraud and corruption in the public sector.

s 4HAT OF IDENTIFIED DRUG syndicates are neutralised with arrests.

s 4HAT OF IDENTIFIED clandestine laboratories are dismantled, with arrests.

s 4HAT OF REGISTERED serious organised crime project investigations are successfully closed.

s 4HAT OF IDENTIFIED ILLEGAL mining operations should be responded to in relation to requests received.

s ! REDUCTION IN CRIMES against women.

If one looks at the crime situation in South Africa, it is almost certain that Minister Cele failed to reach his targets as set out in his performance agreement. The president himself assured citizens that steps would be taken against Cabinet ministers who did not reach their targets. Therefore, we want detailed feedback about the matter and also want the president to indicate what steps will be taken against Cele, should the assessment indicate that he has been sleeping on the job.

Crime is one of the biggest issues affecting every citizen of this country. We cannot afford to have an underperforming, out of touch and incompetent person in such an important role as Minister of Police. It’s simple, Cele must go.

JACQUES BROODRYK | Afriforum