Bheki Cele

Who is Bheki Cele?

Bheki Cele was the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service until October 2011, when he was suspended from duty, due to allegations of corruption. He was appointed to this position in July 2009, replacing Jackie Selebi, who was suspended in January 2008 following charges of corruption. Previously he held the post of Member of the Executive Council for Transport, Safety and Security in KwaZulu-Natal. He is a member of the African National Congress.

General Bheki Cele has been dismissed as national police chief. "I have decided to release General Cele from his duties," Zuma told reporters in Pretoria.

He referred to the board of inquiry mandated to establish whether Cele acted corruptly, dishonestly, or with an undeclared conflict of interest in relation to two police lease deals signed with business tycoon Roux Shabangu—one for a building in Pretoria, another for a building in Durban.

"The board has found General Cele to be unfit for office and has recommended his removal from office in terms of the provisions of section 8 of the South African Police Service Act No. 68 of 1995," said Zuma.