The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Bheki Cele has vehemently refuted malicious reports suggesting that he lied in Parliament. This follows misleading reports in weekend papers which have failed to recognise and acknowledge efforts to clean up the organisation. The point has to be made that only Parliament can make a finding that it has been misled or not. The generals who are ostensibly the sources behind this allegation are free to assist Parliament in this regard.
In May 2010 the retired generals failed to provide responses to parliament on gross violations, inefficiency and mismanagement in building services, property management and other Supply Chain Management (SCM) functions. This was the situation in several meetings held between the National Commissioner and the generals before and after May 2010. Their sudden exit came soon after the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe was announced and days before their scheduled appearance with parliament’s portfolio committee.
Shocking revelations were revealed in parliament during a portfolio committee meeting on Friday, 3 September 2010, citing amongst others absence of management information systems within a division which was served by senior managers with decades of experience within the field of SCM. The division is currently in shambles and is receiving emergency assistance with the aim to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
“SAPS would not offer any one of them silver, gold or even platinum handshake – for years they managed inefficiently. They were released or discharged according to section 35 (b) of the South African Police Act for reasons which will promote efficiency or economy in the Service or will otherwise be in the interest of the service,” said Cele. This should be seen against the background that there was already an SIU probe that necessitated their exit. Indeed, had there not been any exits the damning report presented to the portfolio on 3 September 2010 would not have been made possible and available on that date.
The section of supply chain which came under severe spotlight in parliament was previously under the command of Major General Terblanche, with gross inefficiency. General Terblanche was accountable to General Siwundla, and General Hlela was in overall command.
In the light of public comments already made, and the fact that there is an external and independent probe on the Pretoria and Durban buildings, SAPS does not find it necessary or even desirable to comment any further on this issue.
“It would be best to exercise caution with respect to giving too much reliance to comments of people whose previous working environments are currently subject to serious investigation,” Cele concluded.
Media contact:
Major General Nonkululeko Mbatha
Cell: 083 645 6252
Colonel Lindela Mashigo
Cell: 082 778 4310
