Roux Shabangu deal: DA calls for Commissioner Cele's resignation

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is today calling for the resignation of Police Commissioner Bheki Cele, after official documents contained in submissions to the Special Investigating Unit revealed highly disturbing new details about the R500-million deal to relocate Police Headquarters.

The documents, which are detailed in this morning's Sunday Times, show that Commissioner Cele almost certainly misled Parliament on this matter. This morning's report shows amongst other things that Commissioner Cele personally identified the Sanlam Middestad building as the new Police Headquarters, and that the SAPS were instrumental in pressuring Public Works department official to sign off on the deal.

This is all contrary to what Commissioner Cele has insisted in the past.

Moreover, documentary evidence also reportedly shows that the entire deal contravened several pieces of legislation, including the Public Finance Management Act, and that it ought to have been cancelled through an urgent court order.

Commissioner Cele's reputation has now been terminally compromised; we believe he can no longer carry out his duties in good faith, and that he needs to stand down from his position, and be replaced with a Commissioner who has the experience and integrity to tackle the major issues facing our Police Service.

Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, Democratic Alliance Shadow Minister of Police, February 6 2011

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