“President Jacob Zuma’s announcement that the national commissioner of Police, Gen. Bheki Cele, has been suspended pending an investigation and the firing of the Minister of Public Works, Ms. Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde and the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr. Sicelo Shiceka, is welcomed by the Freedom Front Plus. As one of the individuals who had laid a charge against rental agreements for buildings with the Public Protector, public trust in anti-corruption bodies are strengthened through the actions of Zuma. As national chief of the South African Police Service it is in national interest that these allegations are investigated properly to either confirm or disprove it. The Police chief cannot effectively combat crime with such allegations against him. The public and members of the SAPS can also not have any confidence in the national commissioner with such allegations against him,” Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP), the chief spokesperson on Police for the Freedom Front Plus says.
“The members of the commission which will have to investigate the arms deal are also welcomed. President Zuma is acting correctly to appoint judges and strengthens the credibility of the investigation. That the investigation could take two years creates the impression that a proper investigation will be undertaken. This is an opportunity to bring the dishonour of the arms deal to an end and the guilty persons will have to be brought to book,” Groenewald said.