Six Key Revelations from Bheki Cele’s Explosive Testimony Before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee
Former Police Minister Bheki Cele wrapped up his fiery two-day testimony on Friday before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating alleged political interference in the South African Police Service (SAPS) — leaving MPs with more questions than answers about leadership failures, internal divisions, and unaddressed criminal threats within the country’s law enforcement agencies.
Cele’s testimony, which spanned hours of heated exchanges and pointed remarks, exposed fault lines within the police hierarchy and touched on issues ranging from the controversial disbandment of key investigative units to shocking claims about unsolved deaths.
Cele Questions Disbandment of Political Killings Task Team
One of the most contentious moments came when Cele challenged the rationale behind the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) — a specialised unit formed to investigate politically motivated murders in KwaZulu-Natal.
He told MPs it made little operational sense to dismantle a unit that had been key in tackling targeted assassinations.
“Kidnapping and extortion are relatively new and specialised crimes requiring dedicated task teams and resources. If these task teams are operational necessities, why was it only the PKTT that was singled out for disbandment?”
Earlier this week, suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu testified that the decision stemmed from a 2019 Work Study report, but Cele dismissed the justification as “weak and politically convenient”.
He said National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola should have resisted the move.
“Masemola became soft. He should have pushed back and used the opportunity to advise Minister Mchunu on the matter. But it appears he wasn’t even given a chance to brief the minister properly.”
Despite his criticism, Cele added wryly that Masemola had “a good heart”, joking that, “He would have made a good beer shop owner, as he looks after the lions well.”
Tension Over Visit to Senzo Mchunu’s Home
Cele was also pressed about reports that intelligence officials — Robert McBride, then head of Crime Intelligence, and Cedric Nkabinde, now Chief of Staff to Mchunu — had visited Mchunu’s home after he lodged a complaint with the police.
Appearing puzzled, Cele questioned why intelligence operatives would be involved in such a visit.
“If there was harassment by the police, the correct institution to contact is the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), not visits from intelligence heads telling people how to do their work,” he said.
“Was it a courtesy call to say ‘stop’ or an investigation? I honestly don’t understand the purpose.”
He added that if ordinary citizens were facing harassment, “formal investigations should follow, not informal warnings or house calls”.
Paul O’Sullivan Described as the ‘God of the Security World’
Another notable exchange centred on private investigator Paul O’Sullivan, whose name has frequently appeared in police and political controversies.
When ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli asked about O’Sullivan’s influence, Cele described him as a man with far-reaching influence in policing and politics.
“O’Sullivan is like an octopus — involved in almost everything and speaking about everything. He is the god of managing politicians and knows everything and anything.”
He added that O’Sullivan appeared to have strong opinions about senior police officials:
“He loves General Sibiya, dislikes Masemola, Mkhwanazi, and Khumalo, but has no problem with Minister Mchunu.”
Cele’s comments came shortly after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that O’Sullivan was involved in unlawful police infiltrations.
O’Sullivan, meanwhile, told IOL last week that he has been invited to testify at the Madlanga Commission, which is separately probing political interference in the justice system.
Concerns Over Crime and Drug Syndicates
Turning to broader crime issues, Cele reflected on the country’s growing challenges with drug trafficking and organised crime, warning that criminal networks were exploiting South Africa’s vulnerabilities.
Drawing on his 1994 police training in Scotland, he said international syndicates viewed South Africa as a strategic hub for narcotics operations.
“There are three reasons: our expanding aviation system, the strength of our financial systems allowing easy movement of money, and, unfortunately, our poor communities, which have become easy targets, especially children.”
He urged that combating drug abuse and trafficking must involve all sectors of society, noting that Cabinet had already endorsed a national integrated crime and violence prevention strategy in 2022.
Cele Raises Doubts About Anele Tembe’s Death
Perhaps the most startling part of Cele’s appearance came when he discussed the death of Anele Tembe, the fiancée of late rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, who died after falling from the 10th floor of Cape Town’s Pepper Club Hotel in April 2021.
Responding to questions from MK Party MP David Skhosana, Cele suggested police investigators had reason to suspect foul play.
“There is an inquest into the death of Moses Tembe’s daughter. Police believed she was murdered, but faced repeated delays from the prosecutor’s office to register charges formally. The magistrate is now questioning why this obvious case was not enrolled,” he said.
His remarks reignited public speculation about the circumstances surrounding Anele’s death — and whether the investigation was deliberately stalled.
Committee to Continue Hearings
The Ad Hoc Committee, chaired by Soviet Lekganyane, is probing deep-seated corruption and political meddling within the police and justice sectors.
Following Cele’s explosive testimony, the committee will resume hearings next Tuesday, with several other witnesses expected to be called in the coming weeks.
Cele’s appearance may have ended, but his revelations — touching on institutional dysfunction, corruption, and unresolved cases — have ensured that the spotlight on South Africa’s law enforcement leadership is far from fading.
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