‘I couldn’t let Khumalo be made a scapegoat’ — Cele defends his controversial move

During the ongoing parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee hearings into corruption and political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS), MK Party MP Sibonelo Nomvalo grilled former Police Minister Bheki Cele over his alleged interference in an operational matter involving suspended Crime Detection head, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya.

Nomvalo accused Cele of acting recklessly by involving himself in a case that should have been handled strictly by law enforcement. “Don’t you think you were reckless and irresponsible by intervening in a matter that required the police to act? You indirectly let Sibiya escape,” Nomvalo charged.

Cele defended his actions, saying his intervention was based on principle, not to shield anyone from accountability. “Two things were on my mind then,” Cele explained. “I couldn’t allow [Major-General Dumisani] Khumalo to be made a scapegoat. Secondly, I did tell Matlala to go speak to Khumalo.”

The exchange formed part of a heated session probing allegations of corruption, manipulation, and factionalism within the police ranks. Cele’s testimony aimed to clarify his role in the controversial sequence of events that led to accusations of interference in active investigations.

The former minister maintained that his actions were guided by fairness and the need to prevent selective targeting within SAPS. However, Nomvalo suggested that Cele’s decision blurred the line between political oversight and operational independence — a recurring concern in the committee’s investigation.

The hearings continue this week, with several high-ranking officials expected to be summoned to account for their conduct in similar cases.

Readers are encouraged to like, comment, share, and follow for more updates on this developing story and the broader police corruption inquiry.