Minister Cele must repeal Regulation 45 of SAPS Employment Regulation, following revelation of misuse
1 March 2018
Police Minister Bheki Cele must urgently repeal Regulation 45(1)(n) of the SAPS Employment Regulations. This follows a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Police which revealed that National Police Commissioner (NPC) Khehla Sitole is using this regulation to create his own private office, as his predecessors in the role had also done.
It is seriously concerning that, in a period of 5 months, Sitole has already promoted 15 SAPS members using this regulation. Thirteen of the promoted officers appear to be working in his private office now, of which at least five seem to be bodyguards.
In the past, previous National Police Commissioners have abused Regulation 45, to flout due processes in attempts to appoint their cronies for self-serving reasons other than to fight crime.
It would be incredibly disappointing if the current NPC continues with this tradition, with Minister Cele’s agreement.