29 July 2009

The Inkatha Freedom Party has unequivocally condemned the appointment of KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Bheki Cele, as South Africa's new Commissioner of Police, labelling his appointment as a poor choice and one that was not based on merit but on his rank as a loyal ANC-cadre. 

"The IFP believes that Cele's appointment is a serious blow for our fight against crime in South Africa because Commissioner Cele does not possess the necessary experience and expertise that this high office requires. Furthermore, we believe that his appointment is nothing more than a political promotion for one of President Jacob Zuma's closest allies," said Velaphi Ndlovu, the IFP's safety and security spokesperson today. 

Ndlovu said that the IFP had hoped that the ruling party would have opted not to place a political appointee at the helm of the SAPS again. 

"We were hopeful that government would do the right thing by appointing a career policeman or woman with a proven track record within the SAPS as South Africa's new police chief. But clearly our government is more interested in deploying loyal ANC cadres to top positions to serve the interests of the ruling party rather than serving the interests of all South Africans," said Ndlovu. 

Ndlovu added that Cele's appointment makes a mockery of the ruling party's pledge that the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) will be able to operate independently. 

"One thing is for certain now: the Hawks will never be able to emulate the Scorpions' success. By appointing a political head to take charge of the SAPS, the IFP believes that this new elite crime-fighting unit will be subjected to political manipulation on a regular basis and will operate in a vindictive manner against those perceived to be enemies of the ruling party," concluded Ndlovu.