Cele’s ‘shoot to kill’

Cele came under fire in 2009 during his previous tenure as the country’s national police commissioner, when it was reported that he had told police officers to “shoot to kill” criminals.

He had allegedly said police need to fight criminals’ fire with fire and use deadly force.

Upon being reappointed earlier this year, Cele denied saying this, adding he had simply meant that officers should not hesitate to return fire when under threat.

“Yes, I have talked tough and I will continue to talk tough within the law.

“What I said was that police officers must not die with their guns in their hands.”