Cape Town – Police Minister Bheki Cele got into a heated argument with the leader of a civil rights lobby group Action Society director during a community meeting held in Gugulethu on Tuesday.
The “shouting match” was caught on camera by eNCA.
Cele was meeting with Gugulethu and Nyanga residents to engage them on the increasing crime in communities.
Action Society director Ian Cameron accused the minister of politicising crime in the province and failing at his job.
“You are failing your own Constitution, and not fulfilling your mandate to safeguard [these communities]. I don’t see you patrolling the area at night with the people here.
“It’s unacceptable, sir. You talk down to the neighbourhood watches and don’t understand the policy framework. You are failing in your duties,” Cameron told Cele.
The minister didn’t take kindly to Cameron’s comments, as he accused Cameron of treating him like a ‘garden boy” and ran him down his political history.
“Don’t teach me about human rights. Don’t talk to me about the safety of my people. I fought for it… I nearly died for it. Don’t provoke me… don’t tell me about things you have studied and you have heard.
“I have lived this life. I have lived the life of being African. I have lived a life where my mother was called a kitchen girl and my father was called a kitchen boy [so] I’m not going to take any nonsense from someone who considers me a garden boy,” said a fuming Cele.
When Cameron tried to respond, Cele shouted “shut up” repeatedly and asked him to “sit down” or “get out”
“I sat here and I listen, listen… it’s your time to listen,” Cele said.
Cameron refused to do either and was escorted out of the meeting by police.
Eh this country. https://t.co/sNiah14zFl
— Collen (@Collen_KM) July 5, 2022
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
