‘We must get Cele probe over speedily’

Judge Jake Moloi said on Thursday he would like to conclude the inquiry into allegations of misconduct against suspended national police commissioner General Bheki Cele “as speedily as possible”.

“This is a matter of national interest. The police commissioner is still receiving a salary that is paid from our taxes as well as all the benefits of that post, so it won’t be in the public interest to drag this thing out for ever.

“The nation as a whole cannot sit without a national police commissioner,” Moloi said.

Moloi is the chairman of the board of inquiry announced by President Jacob Zuma in October in the wake of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s findings that Cele’s role involving R1.7 billion leases for police headquarters in Pretoria and Durban was improper and unlawful.

Moloi told Independent Newspapers the inquiry would begin its hearings on February 13. They would be open to the public.

He said there was no provision for the inquiry to take place behind closed doors. “It must be open to the public – and that includes the media”.

Moloi said members of the public would be invited “to make submissions and statements regarding issues that they know about” and might, as a result, also be asked to give oral evidence.

Cele has continued to earn his salary – reported to be between R1.3 million and R1.5m a year – since his suspension came into effect.

Zuma’s spokesman, Mac Maharaj, said the board, since its appointment, had been busy with preparations, including finding offices, appointing staff and “undertaking legal preparations”.

He did not divulge a venue for the public hearings and said details would be released later. Independent Newspapers understands the inquiry will sit in Pretoria.

The board had its first meeting soon after Zuma’s announcement last year, which was welcomed across the political spectrum.

The hearings would inquire into the allegations of misconduct against Cele, his fitness for the office and his capacity to execute his duties efficiently, Maharaj said.

Advocate Lisa Tsatsi had been appointed as secretary of the board.

While Cele will be entitled to legal representation, evidence on behalf of the board will be led by Joburg advocate Viwe Notshe SC.

Notshe represented ANC Youth League president Julius Malema in the Johannesburg High Court last year when he unsuccessfully tried to interdict City Press newspaper from publishing details about his family trust.

In 2003, Notshe represented ANC national executive committee member Tony Yengeni after he pleaded guilty to defrauding Parliament in failing to declare the discount on a luxury car he bought from a company linked to the arms deal.

Other members of the board are advocate Terry Motau SC and advocate Anthea Platt.

Both sides are expected to call a number of witnesses.

Once the hearings have run their course, the board will report back to Zuma, explaining what it has found and making recommendations.

Cele told the Pretoria News on Wednesday that he was eager for the proceedings to start and that he would love to get back to work and take care of crime. - Political Bureau