Public to help decide on Cele

2012-02-17 22:28

Johannesburg - The public was on Friday invited to disclose any information that could help determine whether suspended police commissioner Bheki Cele was fit to hold office.

"Any such information or evidence must be set out in an affidavit and must be supplied to the secretary of the board of enquiry," said the board's spokeswoman Bongiwe Gambu.

Submissions could be sent by e-mail, post or presented at a public hearing on March 5, said Gambu.

President Jacob Zuma suspended Cele in October last year after Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found that his actions pertaining to two leases for new police headquarters, valued at R1.6bn, were unlawful and amounted to maladministration.

Cele was suspended with full salary, allowances, privileges and benefits pending the probe. Zuma then appointed the board as recommended by Madonsela.

The board was mandated to inquire into whether Cele:

- has acted corruptly or dishonestly or with an undeclared conflict of interest in relation to the two leases

- contravened provisions of the Public Management Act and Treasury regulations among others

- failed to prevent the procurement processes being conducted or facilitated by the manipulation of the police's supply chain management or procurement processes

- failed to prevent irregular expenditure incurred in relation to both leases

- failed to prevent any financial losses or wasted expenditure to be incurred by the State, and his overall conduct.

"Any person or organisation possessing such information relating to the above issues is invited to disclose such information," said Gambu.

Board members include chairperson Judge Jake Moloi, secretary advocate Lisa Tsatsi, advocate Terry Motau SC and advocate Anthea Platt.

- SAPA