Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma has suspended National Police Commissioner, General Bheki Cele, with immediate effect.
“I have … decided to suspend the national Commissioner from duty with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the inquiry, in terms of section 8 (3) (a) read with Section 9 (1) of the South African Police Service Act,” he announced at a special media briefing on Monday in Pretoria.
He further said that during the period of suspension, Cele would be entitled to his full salary, allowances, privileges and benefits.
The President said he had established a Board of Inquiry into allegations of misconduct against Cele, to make findings and recommendations.
“In August, I informed the National Commissioner, General Bheki Cele, of my intention to institute a Board of Inquiry to look into the allegations of misconduct, in relation to the procurement of office accommodation for the South African Police Service, as per the findings and recommendations of the Public Protector,” he said.
During her investigation into the lease agreements for police headquarters in Pretoria and offices in Durban, Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela found that Cele’s conduct as SAPS’ accounting officer was improper, unlawful conduct, which amounted to maladministration.
Madonsela’s first report on the police leasing deals, released in February, pertained to her investigation into the deal for the Middestad building in Pretoria, which was leased for R500 million from businessman Roux Shabangu.
The second, released in July, scrutinised the R1.16 billion leasing of Transnet Tower in Durban, also from Shabangu.
Madonsela found that the leases were unlawful, invalid and “fatally flawed”.
Zuma also announced that the Board of Inquiry will be chaired by retired Justice Yvonne Mokgoro.
Other members of the Board are Advocate Terry Motau SC, and Adv Anthea Platt.
The President said major General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi will be acting National Commissioner until further notice. – BuaNews
