South Africa’s outgoing police chief Khehla Sitole has described his relationship with Police Minister Bheki Cele as “professionally average”.
Sitole said he was all about action, making sure that the fight against crime was guided by the policies and prescripts within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“As we have been working together, the interpretation of the prescript always comes to play. Remember, the prescript clearly outlines the separation of powers,” Sitole said.
He added: “My relationship with Police Minister Bheki Cele, I can start by saying, is, therefore, professionally average. And it further indicates that it is governed by these prescripts.”
The two have been at loggerheads with each other on issues of SAPS prescripts and how Sitole should be doing his job as the national commissioner.
Cele, a former police chief himself, accused his top cop of underperforming and undermining his authority when he was in office.
During the July 2021 unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces following the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma, Cele accused Sitole of being nowhere to be found.
Earlier this year, Cele said Sitole was a no-show in parliament to meet with the House’s Portfolio Committee on Police for a briefing.
In February, Cele also accused Sitole of working with opposition Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema to have him fired from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet.
However, Sitole has denied these allegations, saying he met Malema at Cele’s own request.
Meanwhile, the South African Police Union has criticised the politically connected Cele for his alleged interference in Sitole’s work when he was national commissioner.
NM/jn/APA