PUBLIC PROTECTOR ASKED TO INVESTIGATE CELE AND THE DPW'S R500 MILLION

The Freedom Front Plus asked the Public Protector to investigate the rental contract to the value of R500 million signed by the Police Commissioner, Bheki Cele, for a building of Roux Shabangu.

"Bheki Cele should guard against following in the footsteps of Jackie Selebi. It is unacceptable that Cele says that he merely signs documents and can therefore not recall the contract of R500 million. If Cele can not recall a contract worth R500 million which he authorized, it shows that he is incompetent for his position. The fact that Cele had signed the contract before Shabangu owned the property points to corruption. It clearly creates the impression that political loyalists of the ANC are rewarded with taxpayers' money," Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP), chief spokesperson on Police for the Freedom Front Plus says.

"The Freedom Front Plus requested the Public Protector to not only investigate the contravention of rules and regulations pertaining to tenders, but to also investigate whether a second building, which also has to serve as headquarters for the Police, is really required. A second building is unnecessary and a waste of taxpayers money. The R500 million should rather be used to appoint more police members to increase visible policing," Groenewald said.

Statement issued by Mr. Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus Spokesperson: Police, August 2 2010

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