Bheki Cele’s ‘criminal history’? Zondo set to investigate SA’s top cop

Raymond Zondo is a man on a mission this week. Fresh from pursuing information about Julius Malema and his inner circle, it seems the scope of the investigation will widen to include Police Minister Bheki Cele.

According to a report from TimesLive, Zondo has issued subpoenas to get a better understanding of Cele’s financial transactions. The top cop has fallen under suspicion, due to his private ventures.

Why does Zondo want to investigate Bheki Cele?

Four businesses where the minister has acted as a ‘director’ are set to be investigated by the Zondo Commission: Cele resigned from Isibhudla Trading but remains active at Ithembelihle Logistics, Tray Holdings, and Cracin Property Development. Furthermore, his wife Thembeka will see one of her companies probed by the panel.

These latest developments have served to remind the public that Bheki Cele doesn’t exactly have a squeaky-clean record. In 2011, he was fired as the Police Commissioner amid allegations of corruption.

Police minister under fire for ‘criminal past’

He’s also been implicated at the Zondo Commission, thanks to the testimony of former CI operative Colonel Dhanajaya Naidoo, who claimed that some politicians – including Bheki Cele – allegedly strongarmed law enforcement into protecting their illicit activities. Unfortunately for the minister, there are plenty of allegations to pick from:

• Cele has previously been linked to a corruption ring that was allegedly run by the country’s Crime Intelligence (CI).
• This was punted at the State Capture Inquiry in September 2019. In fact, the top cop’s business in KZN has raised the alarm.
• When Cele was MEC for Transport in KZN, he allegedly awarded local businessman, Panganathan Marimuthu, tenders.
• Marimuthu is a disgraced former officer accused of being involved in a drug trafficking operation. But wait, there’s more…
• Cele was heavily involved with building vendors Roux Shabungu – who leased property to the police at extortionate rates.