Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa told the National Assembly on Thursday that he is confident that Minister of Police Bheki Cele is still the man for the job despite calls for his removal.
Ramaphosa defended his decision to keep Cele during his first question and answer session in the National Assembly in Cape Town.
This came after the president reshuffled his Cabinet and announced his deputy and new ministers earlier this week.
“I am confident the minister and national commissioner of police are competent and able to lead the government’s collaborative approach to building a South Africa where all people are and feel safe,” Ramaphosa said.
WATCH LIVE: President @CyrilRamaphosa replies to questions from the Members of Parliament. These sessions are used to hold the President and Members of his Cabinet accountable. #RamaphosaQandA https://t.co/kbCYvaqi99
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) March 9, 2023
Ramaphosa said under Cele’s leadership, the department developed an integrated crime and violence prevention strategy that complemented other interventions and improvements to policing and strengthening of the criminal justice system.
He said that a national policing strategy was approved last year and was being implemented.
Ramaphosa said police continue to undertake targeted operations in crime hotspots, tackle cross-border crimes, and the deployment of multi-disciplinary teams to counter the gang-related shooting in Westbury and surrounding areas.
“The turnaround of the DNA backlog has almost been concluded and capacity at the forensic science laboratories has been enhanced,” he added.
However, he said the fight against crime is not only a policing issue.
“The fight against crime and violence requires great effort and focus. It needs an integrated strategy that harnesses all the capabilities of the police and criminal justice system alongside the efforts of broader society,” he said.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
