Bheki Cele backs Mkhwanazi’s claims of deep corruption in SAPS
Former Police Minister Bheki Cele has backed KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s allegations of widespread corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Speaking before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating political interference in police operations, Cele confirmed that the corruption challenge extends beyond the police to prosecutors and the country’s prison system.
He also criticised former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu for disbanding the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) without consulting National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
Cele’s testimony reiterated concerns raised by Mkhwanazi during his July 6 media briefing, which revealed the arrest of numerous police officers for corruption.
The former minister emphasised that this confirms the long-acknowledged but persistent problem within SAPS.
“I don’t want to be unfair to Minister Senzo Mchunu by saying it’s cut and dry that you can’t make suggestions, but for me it would have been more relevant to sit down with the National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola,” Cele said.
General Masemola had previously told the Ad Hoc Committee that he was never consulted by Mchunu before the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team, a move widely criticised amid rising political violence.
In a candid reflection on internal police politics and leadership, Cele explained:
“I don’t want to be unfair to Mchunu — that’s how I see things. Sometimes ministers and commissioners don’t consult properly, and that confuses.
“You can’t simply instruct national commissioners without dialogue. We can sit down, put ideas on the table, and see how to move forward. The manner in which the disbandment happened wasn’t coordinated at all.”
Cele recounted a personal experience relating to the emotionally charged environment surrounding political killings.
“At the funeral of a victim named Judah in KZN, there was a furious atmosphere. People were demanding that the police fix the root of the problem. Instead of acting operationally, the police went to the National Commissioner.
“The National Commissioner said, ‘This is my approach, so you must follow it.’ But then, the relationship between the National Commissioner and other officials was fraught. It wasn’t warm, which hampered cooperation.”
He added a warning for future interactions between ministers and police leadership:
“You don’t have to be friends, but must work together professionally. When there’s a breakdown, it leads to distrust and poor performance. That cooperation is what will help us next time.”
The Ad Hoc Committee’s investigation continues as Parliament seeks greater clarity on political interference in police operations and the roles played by various leaders in managing these crises.
thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za
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