A Political Power Struggle Unveiled: General Bheki Cele’s Testimony and the Shocking Allegations
The ongoing testimony of General Bheki Cele before the ad hoc committee has revealed significant tension within South Africa’s political and police forces.

While many expected a controlled, diplomatic response, Cele’s testimony was far more candid, offering a raw view of the power struggles, corruption, and alleged misconduct within the country’s law enforcement.

The day Cele spoke was marked not just by revelations, but by a stark portrayal of the politics surrounding the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The committee had anticipated hearing from Cele about the workings of the police force under various ministers, but no one expected such a forthright and controversial account.

Cele wasted no time in addressing the brewing animosity between key figures, particularly with former National Commissioner General Mkhwanazi.

Cele did not shy away from criticizing his former colleagues, and the testimony quickly took a dramatic turn as he pointed out political interference and internal divisions that led to the disbandment of critical task forces.

His words were clear: South Africa’s law enforcement system was compromised, and the truth was buried under layers of political maneuvering.

Political Tension and the Collapse of the SAPS
Cele’s revelations about the police force under former Minister of Police Ria Peka were particularly damning.

He pointed out that the system had lost its institutional capacity under Peka’s leadership, claiming that political manipulation had crippled the force.

Cele’s frustration was evident when he spoke of how the police’s ability to function effectively had been undermined by political interests.

It wasn’t just about fighting crime; it was about how those in power used law enforcement to serve their personal and political agendas.

A significant part of Cele’s testimony also centered on the disbandment of the PKTT (Political Killings Task Team), which was spearheaded by Cele during his tenure.

Cele criticized the decision to disband the task force, questioning the lack of transparency and proper consultation before such an important decision was made.

He emphasized that political killings had been rampant, particularly in certain provinces like KwaZulu-Natal, and the decision to dismantle the PKTT seemed politically motivated rather than based on evidence or strategic need.

In the midst of these accusations, Cele did not hesitate to point out that there was more than just criminal negligence at play.

The disbandment of the PKTT wasn’t a mere administrative decision—it was, in Cele’s words, an attempt to protect powerful figures involved in illegal activities.

These figures, including various taxi bosses and alleged gang leaders, were seen as having far-reaching influence over police operations.

Cele’s remarks about the influence of criminal elements within the police force were chilling, suggesting that the SAPS was not only failing to combat crime but was, in many cases, complicit in it.

Personal Conflicts and the Role of Political Influence
The testimony also revealed significant personal conflicts between Cele and key figures in the SAPS, particularly General Mkhwanazi.

Cele spoke of how political interference in law enforcement had escalated tensions and weakened the effectiveness of the police.

Mkhwanazi’s involvement with various figures, including the infamous K Matala, painted a picture of an institution more concerned with protecting certain individuals than serving the public.

Cele’s candidness in describing the deteriorating state of the police force under these conditions was both shocking and enlightening.

One of the more troubling revelations from Cele’s testimony was the role that K Matala—who Cele had stayed with in his penthouse—played in influencing the police force.

Cele admitted that he had stayed at Matala’s property but insisted that their relationship had been purely incidental, stating that he was unaware of Matala’s alleged criminal connections at the time.

However, Cele’s later comments about Matala’s involvement with various high-profile criminals raised serious questions about his judgment and his associations.

Cele’s admission that he stayed at a known criminal’s residence raised eyebrows, and it was clear that his relationship with Matala, though publicly downplayed, was more significant than he let on.

The Role of Task Teams in Policing and the Challenges of Leadership

Cele also addressed the broader issue of South Africa’s policing structure, particularly the role of task teams in crime fighting.

He highlighted the importance of multi-disciplinary task forces, such as the narcotics team, kidnapping unit, and extortion team, which were established to tackle specific criminal activities.

These teams were not just a response to the increase in crime; they were a necessity in a country where criminal activity was becoming increasingly sophisticated.

Yet Cele was baffled by the decision to disband the PKTT, while other task teams—some equally flawed—remained in operation.

The inconsistency in the government’s approach to managing task teams and law enforcement agencies seemed to be a deliberate attempt to weaken the police’s ability to combat crime.

Cele’s frustration was evident as he spoke of how the task teams were often undermined by political interests, preventing them from achieving meaningful results.

In a particularly striking moment, Cele spoke of how police officers, despite their training and expertise, were being lured away by private security companies, particularly within the taxi industry.

He warned that this shift was detrimental to the country’s ability to combat crime and maintain law and order.

Cele’s concerns about the privatization of policing were grounded in the reality that trained officers were being paid more by criminal organizations than by the government, leading to a brain drain in the police force.

This, he argued, was another layer of the broader problem of corruption within the SAPS.

The Broader Problem of Corruption and Political Power
One of the most striking parts of Cele’s testimony was his acknowledgment of the widespread corruption within South Africa’s political and law enforcement systems.

He didn’t just blame rogue officers or politicians; he pointed to systemic issues that allowed corruption to flourish.

From police officers accepting bribes to politicians interfering with investigations, Cele painted a picture of an institution that was not just failing to serve the public, but actively working against it.

He also highlighted the way in which the justice system itself had become a tool for political gain.

The case of the infamous political killings, where Cele revealed that certain politicians were allegedly using law enforcement to target rivals, was just one example of how deeply entrenched corruption had become in South Africa’s institutions.

He emphasized that the police were often used as pawns in a larger political game, with criminals and politicians working hand in hand to protect their interests.

Moving Forward: What Needs to Change?
So, what can be done to fix this? Cele’s testimony suggested that South Africa’s police force was facing an uphill battle.

With widespread corruption, political interference, and criminal elements embedded within the system, reform would require a complete overhaul of the institution.

Cele called for stronger oversight mechanisms, particularly within the SAPS, to prevent further exploitation of the system.

He also urged that the government take more drastic measures to ensure that those in positions of power were held accountable for their actions.

Cele’s call for reform wasn’t just about addressing the issues within the police force—it was about restoring public trust in law enforcement.

He acknowledged that the people of South Africa had lost confidence in the police, and he stressed that rebuilding that trust would require transparency, accountability, and a willingness to confront the harsh truths about corruption and political interference.

While Cele’s testimony was damning, it also served as a wake-up call.

The issues he raised about corruption, inefficiency, and political manipulation are not just confined to the police force—they are symptomatic of broader systemic issues within South Africa’s governance.