Former Police Minister Bheki Cele says Riah Phiyega’s appointment was strange because of her lack of experience. And he believes that she was placed in the position to be manipulated.

Cele concluded his testimony before the Ad Hoc Committee looking into concerns around national security on Friday.

He has told Economic Freedom Fighters MP Leigh-Ann Mathys that under Phiyega’s tenure, operational and managerial structures were destroyed in an effort to loot.

“Well, the opinion is that if I know I want to steal but I know there is a bulldog, I will take the teeth out of the bulldog so that I do things properly, maybe someone took the teeth out to do things properly? Who did that? Those who were leading? Who was leading at the time? Zuma was the President. So, it was under the Zuma administration,” Cele says.

The current National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, got a friendlier analysis from Cele.

“Masemola is very respectful, lots of respect as a person, no doubt about it, sometimes I say he would’ve been a good bishop. he has a good heart to look after the lions. But he knows his job. Maybe he doesn’t have enough push back, when needed,” adds Cele.

WATCH | Former Police Minister Bheki Cele says that former National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega was responsible for the destruction of the SA Police Service. pic.twitter.com/8oryhI5oUm

— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 23, 2025

On his first day of appearing before the committee, Cele said he knew the attempted murder accused Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, very well. During his second appearance, he withdrew that statement. In hindsight, he told the committee that he probably should have avoided meeting Matlala in the first place.

“I wouldn’t stay in his properties now that I know more…. life would’ve been easier now,” says Cele.

Cele’s appearance was expected to be illuminating and interesting. As DA MP, Glynnis Breytenbach, attested.

“Mr. Cele, you’re very good at this. It’s not the first time I’ve seen you in action. You sit confident, knowledgeable, you do well at this kind of thing,” says Breytenbach.

Parliament Ad Hoc Committee | Former Police Minister Bheki Cele