(My letter in today's Pretoria News)
As the country’s law enforcement agency the SAPS should be seen championing law-abiding practices, upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens from all walks of life.
National Police commissioner General Bheki Cele should be a shining example of proper conduct. However, Cele is a disappointment and surely an embarrassment to the men and women he is supposed to lead. Three incidents prove my point:
•The prime focus of the police is to prevent and investigate crime. By calling a foreign suspect a murderous monkey, Cele illustrated his disregard for the separation of powers. He may investigate but not judge. With this unfortunate incident he brought the SAPS into disrepute, not only here but also abroad.
•Allowing senior officers in Gauteng to treat junior police officers as criminals after they ‘dared’ to confront Winnie Madikizela-Mandela after wreck less driving was shocking. Are we not all equal before the law? This incident can be resolved only by an independent investigation.
•Then there is the headquarters lease deal. The proper tender process was evidently not followed. Transparency and accountability is demanded from South Africa’s top cop, but he seems reluctant to comply.
Cele must be called to account. We cannot afford a second Jackie Selebi. Our reputation as a country will suffer.
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