The Board of Inquiry looking into the allegations of misconduct against National Police Commissioner General Bheki Cele is expected to host public hearings next month.

According to the Presidency, the board has finalised the preparations it has been busy with since it was appointed by President Jacob Zuma.

Details of the public hearings are expected to be communicated at a later stage.

The Presidency has thanked the City of Tshwane for agreeing to host the commission during its work.

The board comprises chairperson Justice Jake Moloi, Advocate Terry Motau SC and Advocate Anthea Platt. Advocate Lisa Tsatsi had been appointed as secretary of the board.

In October 2011, Zuma announced the establishment of the board to look into allegations of misconduct by Cele, or his fitness for office, or his capacity to execute his duties efficiently. This is in relation to the procurement of office space for police in Pretoria and Durban, and Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s findings regarding these deals.

During her investigation into the lease agreements, Madonsela found that Cele’s conduct as South African Police Services’ accounting officer was improper and unlawful, which amounted to maladministration.

Madonsela’s first report on the police leasing deals pertained to her investigation into the deal for the Middestad building in Pretoria, which was leased for R500-million from businessperson Roux Shabangu.

The second scrutinised the R1.16-billion leasing of Transnet Tower in Durban, also from Shabangu.

Madonsela found that the leases were unlawful, invalid and “fatally flawed”.

Zuma suspended Cele pending the outcome of the inquiry.