The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Bheki Cele has raised concerns over the statement by the Democratic Alliance for deliberately quoting the issue of a moratorium on the release of crime statistics out of context and further politicising the matter unnecessarily. This follows the statement that was released by the DA suggesting that Cele is supporting the idea of a moratorium on the release of South African crime statistics.
Cele was addressing issues of his new appointment with the media on Friday 31 August 2009, when the issue turned into a hot potato. “The issue of the moratorium on the release of crime statistics is on the agenda at interpol level and in this country as well. The way forward in finding a firm standing position on the matter will be a collective decision,” said Cele.
“There are currently critical areas that are being looked into, in addressing the issue of the release of crime statistics. If the release of crime statistics will assist the police in devising new strategies to fight crime, we shall continue doing it, but if it is the opposite then it defeats the purpose,” Cele added.
“It is up to the DA to continue with the political bashing, our energy and time will be more focused on crime fighting strategies as our priority and less on entertaining statements aimed at undermining our efforts of working together in fighting crime and creating safer communities,” Cele concluded.
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