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New National Police Commissioner, Bheki Cele, has got off to
a shaky start. There are two dark clouds hanging over his head regarding his alleged interference with police at the scene of a car crash involving his friend Sifiso Zulu, as well as regarding the release of crime statistics. These two issues mark the first major challenge for both the Commissioner and the Minister of Police alike. The Democratic Alliance (DA) will be submitting oral questions to Minister Mthethwa this week to gain clarity over these matters.

Oral Question #1: Dark Cloud

The DA will be asking the Minister if he is aware of Cele's alleged interference at the scene of the car accident involving Sifiso Zulu, and to establish what role Mr Cele played in these events and why he involved himself in the investigative proceedings. A police officer alleged that Cele entered into an altercation with police officials as he wanted the car to be returned directly to the owner. The DA will be asking if these claims are true and if so, what corrective action will be taken against the Commissioner.

Meddling in police affairs and the abuse of a public position are worrying signs of a crony cover-up. How can South Africans be expected to have faith in the law and respect the police administration when allegations of corruption and defeating the ends of justice emerge about the new National Police Commissioner, not even a week on the job?

Oral Question #2: Storm Cloud

The DA will submit an oral question to the Minister regarding Cele's astonishing remarks on SAFM about supporting a moratorium on the release of crime statistics. We will be asking whether or not the Minister is in agreement with this position and whether or not the Minister will in fact release crime statistics. We will also be asking the Minister to clarify Cele's statements and ask:

a) what evidence supports the statement that criminals use crime statistics to their advantage?
b) what evidence supports the statement that not releasing crime statistics aids the fight against crime?
c) what evidence supports the statement that crime statistics can be used for political bashing?
d) to which Interpol report was Mr Cele referring when he said that Interpol was in favour of periodic, ‘not all the time' crime statistics releases
e) to which 'peer' countries in Latin America was he referring when he said, "nobody release stats there of crime at all for a very, very long time"

The frequent release of crime statistics is an international norm and regarded as vital in the fight against crime. The reluctance to release crime statistics points to an unwillingness by both the Commissioner and the Minister to have their performance measured. The hard talk on criminals and corruption needs to be backed up by action and supported by empirical evidence. Surely they would want to release crime statistics so that at the end of their tenure they can show that their diligence and efforts have resulted in a decrease in crime in South Africa?