Cele 'now called general'

2010-03-10 13:44

Johannesburg - National police chief Bheki Cele has insisted he be addressed as "general" from now on, after the approval of military rankings for the police, Beeld reported on Wednesday.

"I am now called 'general'," he told Parliament's portfolio committee on police on Tuesday.

However, committee members continued calling him "commissioner", reported the Afrikaans daily.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa's spokesperson Zweli Mnisi told Sapa the military rankings for the police had been approved by Cabinet.

"Currently, we just want to finalise some of the [details] around it, but we will make a public announcement soon," Mnisi said.

Changes and promotions

In February, Beeld quoted Mthethwa as saying the necessary changes and promotions still needed to happen at operational level.

Mthethwa said in February the implementation of the new ranks would be announced within a "few weeks".

But he also insisted Cele could already be addressed as "general".

The idea was first mooted in September last year when President Jacob Zuma addressed police station commanders from across the country in Pretoria.

Mthethwa said the idea was to bring the discipline of the military back into the police.

- SAPA