This announcement follows today’s media reports about the house purchased for the National Commissioner of the Police.
In terms of the South African Police Service housing policy, members appointed or deployed for operational purposes qualify for the provision of residential accommodation and the National Commissioner as an incumbent to the post falls within the category of such members.
Upon the appointment of the National Commissioner, Bheki Cele, numerous efforts were made to acquire a state-owned residence for him. The attempts included approaching the Department of Public Works wherein it was established that there was no available official residence for occupation but rather the department had to facilitate the acquisition of a house which is to be occupied by the National Commissioner.
Two options were explored viz; leasing and purchasing option. After careful consideration it was decided that leasing a house would not be cost effective but rather purchasing would cater for a medium to long term factor.
In view of the nature of the appointment of the National Commissioner, security considerations also had to be taken into account to ensure that safety measures are in place. The security aspect conforms to policy in terms of the provision of security for the National Commissioner.
The house is valued at R2 989.092.30 (transfer and legal costs included) and is for permanent acquisition for the current and future utilisation by incumbents to this post.
The previous two National Commissioners had owned residential houses in Pretoria unlike the current National Commissioner who emerges from KwaZulu-Natal.
Media contact:
Nonkululeko Mbatha
Cell: 083 645 6252
