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Inkatha Freedom Party has lambasted the appointment of Commissioner
Bheki Cele as National Commissioner of Police saying it was a reward for
his steadfast campaigning for President Jacob Zuma. Cele, the former MEC
for Safety and Community Liaison in KwaZulu-Natal was appointed by
President Zuma to take over as National Commissioner from Mr. Jackie
Selebi who is now facing criminal charges. Speaking during the Community
Safety debate at the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature in Pietermaritzburg today
Mr. Blessed Gwala, IFP MPL said:
"Mr. Cele's appointment went against our belief that government
positions must be depoliticized. In particular, the police service must
not be allowed to operate under a cloud of perceptions of being
politically biased. Merit was not the case in the appointment of Mr.
Cele. Instead it was his political loyalty to the ANC and in particular
it appeared to be a reward for his steadfast campaigning for His
Excellency President Jacob Zuma.

"We still believe as the IFP that President Zuma should have appointed a
career policeman or woman with a proven track record within the SAPS. It
is appointments such as this that definitely demoralize many loyal and
hardworking police officers who have dedicated years of their lives to
the service of the South African public. For they realize that there is
no reward for long and outstanding service as long as one is not either
a card-carrying member of the ANC or at least a sympathizer who is well
connected."