INLSA
Bheki Cele
KwaZulu-Natal police officers have expressed mixed views about the dismissal of national police commissioner Bheki Cele, with some saying his departure was a devastating blow for the crime fighting effort and others saying he would not be missed.
Cele was seen as being close to officers in KZN in particular, as he had forged relationships with them when he was the community safety and liaison MEC and often actively participated in crime fighting initiatives in the province.
Yesterday, officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they are not allowed to speak to the media, did not agree on whether Cele should have left, but all said they were disappointed by Riah Phiyega’s appointment to the top post.
A senior officer at a Durban police station said Cele had been a “good leader” who had been respected among the police ranks.
“He led by example in terms of fighting crime and he understood the problems that police officers faced. He talked tough and he wanted to get the job done.”
The officer said Phiyega would have to prove herself.
Another officer said Cele had improved staff morale.
“He would come here and go on raids with officers. He also was very concerned when officers died. Despite his faults, he was well liked.”
Yet another officer said they had accepted that Cele would go, but had hoped that a career policeman would have been given the job.
“We wanted a capable police officer to take over, someone who understands the work we do. This is another outsider coming in.”
The SA Police Union’s general secretary Oscar Skommere also felt that a civilian should not have been given the position and said the appointment of civilians was an insult to the officers.
“The continued imposition of others in the top SAPS office is not only an insult to deserving officers, it also demoralises them.”
Skommere said the union would respect Phiyega’s appointment and was willing to work with her.
“We also want to state that, as professionals, we are willing to work with whomever is in that office, including the new national police commissioner.”
