President concerned about Cele, Sitole feud
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concern regarding the escalating public spats between Police Minister Bheki Cele and national police commissioner Khehla Sitole.
“The reason why we flighted the notion that there will be changes is precisely to address some of these challenges that we have seen, that are apparent,” Ramaphosa said, commenting on the matter during a media briefing in Cape Town.
He added: "It also speaks to what you call the spats between some of the key people, for instance in the police. That too is a manifestation of some of the problems that we have in the police, particularly where people who are supposed to occupy positions are seen to be at odds."
According to Ramaphosa, the initiatives that would be adopted by his office will be put in place to address some of these challenges.
On Tuesday, Sitole hit back at Cele’s allegations that he had hatched a “plot against him” alongside EFF leader Julius Malema to see him removed from his position and that the two had met in December 2020.
“He (Sitole) confirmed that he met Malema, a meeting which was initiated by the Ministry of Police and the meeting was held specifically at the behest of the
Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Charlie Mathale,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo in a statement on behalf of Sitole.
He said Mathale requested Sitole to meet with Malema to address potential threats against him (Malema).
“The meeting was solely about the alleged threats against Malema and nothing else to which feedback was provided to Mathale,” the statement read.
Naidoo further pointed out that Sitole was under the impression that Cele was aware of the content of that meeting given that it was facilitated by his deputy.
He further said: “The national commissioner is amazed by the fact that his name and image is being tarnished for political reasons. He decided to issue this statement of clarity since his name is mentioned in Parliament and it’s important for such an institution to know and understand the facts.”
Cele was forced to withdraw the allegations after making them on Monday.
His office has remained mum on Sitole's latest statement.
Despite several attempts to obtain comment, Cele's spokesperson, Lirandzu Themba, when asked to comment, only sent a text message saying, “There isn't (any comment)”.
The EFF would also not be drawn into the allegations, with its chief whip Floyd Shivambu saying the party was not at liberty to entertain the “childish accusations” made by Cele.
But crime experts meanwhile say the fight between Cele Sitole has been around since Cele was appointed as minister.
“Cele wants to run (the police service) himself it seems,” security, human rights and social justice expert Mary de Haas said.
She indicated that the impasse between the two was disastrous.
“Even if Sitole goes it will make no difference. There are problems with the whole national management and Sitole will be replaced by someone who does exactly what Cele tells him to do,” she said.
De Haas added that, having tracked policing since the early 1990s, it was during Cele tenure and former president Jacob Zuma’s presidency that the corruption and mismanagement of policing escalated.
Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe indicated that the lack of resolution for the standoff was demoralising for all concerned, especially for the commissioner and those reporting to him.
“The commissioner is in a state of not knowing whether he is going forward or not. The fight has been going on for over a year. It went to the extent that the president was forced to intervene. The commissioner was asked to explain why he should not be suspended and possibly relieved of his duties. He has been in limbo since,” Seepe said.
On Wednesday, Cope expressed concern and blasted Ramaphosa for “turning a blind eye” on the matter.
Cope national spokesperson Dennis Bloem said the police leadership was engaged in fights in front of the thousands of loyal and dedicated police officers and that Ramaphosa was “killing the spirit and morale of these officers” by not acting against Cele and Sitole.
Cope called on Ramaphosa “to put the country’s safety and security before the interest of his comrades” and that Cele be fired.
Presidency spokesperson Tyrone Seale did not respond to requests for comment.