The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

New National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele says -- and repeated in Parliament today -- that he has been quoted out of context about the release of crime statistics. He is wrong. On no less than three occasions during Friday's radio interview Cele came out in support of a moratorium on the release of crime statistics - as is showed in the full transcript of his interview (which follows below). Cele must take responsibility for what he has said.

Most importantly, Cele has repeatedly made the claim that criminals use crime statistics to assist in their crimes, a statement that as yet has not been backed up by any evidence. Commissioner Cele can try to divert attention as much as he likes, but the public will not fall for that. The public wants a transparent, accountable Police Service. They want to know whether the SAPS is tackling crime or not. And so, when the National Police Commissioner claims that the public is not entitled to know how the Police Service is doing - and offers a "dog ate my homework" excuse - naturally he needs to explain himself to the public, who he serves.

This is what the Police Commissioner said on SAFM, in black and white, and verbatim:

First confirmation
Cele is asked whether there is a moratorium, and he responds by denying that "people need statistics":

Interviewer: (A listener wanted to know) if there is a moratorium on crime stats?

Cele: Why do people need statistics at a go? Statistics are used for two things. Are used for political bashing, and are used for planning. Planning is could be both from those that are plan against the crime, or those that plan for the crime. That's the first one. And secondly, I understand that the Interpol has discussed the question of crime stats released, and looked at that in favour of periodically, not all the time, release. That is Interpol. But let me tell you, many countries, especially those countries that might be peers of South Africa, especially South America and Central America, nobody releases stats there of crime at all for a very, very long time.

Second confirmation
Since Cele has now left the unmistakable impression he is in favour of a moratorium, the interviewer asks to confirm this:

Interviewer: So you would support a moratorium on statistics?

Cele: I will support that.

Cele then continues. Though he is in favour of a moratorium, he says he is willing to listen to other views:

Cele: I will support whatever we do that gives us an upper edge to fight crime. If releasing statistics helps us to fight crime better and win, I will support that, if a moratorium helps us to fight crime better, we will support that.

Third confirmation
This prompts the interviewer to ask Cele for a third time whether official policy is to place a moratorium on the release of statistics. For a third time Cele's response leaves the unmistakable impression that he is in favour of this:
Interviewer: Surely you have had some sort of a briefing with some of your officials... according to them [is] it correct to place a moratorium on crime statistics?

Cele: I am saying to you there are statistics that are released and criminals use them - the very same statistics you release. And there are those that when you don't release, it gives you the better edge to fight the crime.

If Cele is now claiming that he is not in favour of a moratorium, why did he not say so on Friday?

The DA will be submitting an oral question to the Minister of Police, to establish the official position on this matter. It is clear that the new Commissioner is unable to articulate his position, and is somewhat confused about whether or not he supports a moratorium (on the one hand he "supports" it, on the other hand he doesn't).

The DA is in possession of the audio recording of the interview. Anyone is welcome to contact the DA to listen to it.