Cele inquiry resumes

2012-03-30 08:53

Johannesburg - The board of inquiry investigating misconduct allegations against suspended police chief Bheki Cele resumed in Pretoria on Friday.

The matter was postponed two weeks ago after a key witness in the police lease saga stalled proceedings, claiming she was sick and could not testify.

Public works official Mokgaetji Tlolane requested to first see a doctor before she gave evidence. She also had problems taking the oath, looking confused.

Evidence leader Viwe Notshe hoped Tlolane's evidence would eliminate the probability that property mogul Roux Shabangu could have been tipped off by public works officials that the police needed office space.

Shabangu has identified Tlolane as the person who informed him that the police wanted to lease the Sanlam Middestad building in Pretoria.

This is reportedly contained in a 60-page affidavit Shabangu aims to use to absolve himself of any wrongdoing in the police lease saga.

Shabangu claims Tlolane arranged the first meeting with the SA Police Service, and told him the matter would not go out to tender because of its urgency.

Tlolane had been eluding Notshe since the hearing started.

She initially demanded a subpoena to appear, and then a letter from her superiors instructing her to do so.

- SAPA