[imagesource: Bheki Radebe]

From ‘Mr Fearfokkol’ Fikile Mbalula to Bheki Cele, a man who was SAPS National Commissioner until misconduct allegations led to his suspension and then removal in June 2012.

Welcome to the position of Minister of Police in South Africa.

After his infamous altercation with Ian Cameron from lobby group Action Society, which saw him shouting ‘shut up’ at the top of his lungs and accusing Cameron of racism, the minister has been under greater public scrutiny.

Then came the Krugersdorp zama zama attack, and Cele was widely criticised for saying one of the victims “was lucky” to be raped by just one man.

Not content with that foot-in-mouth moment, he doubled down over the weekend, reports TimesLIVE. He was in Krugersdorp’s West Village on Saturday, ostensibly to give updates about the investigation into the attacks:

Cele told the community: “Zama zamas are disrespectful … I saw the victims, they are beautiful models. They are young people and I’m sure they were happy and enjoying themselves [at the shoot].

“I can’t imagine a zama zama with a beautiful woman … They come here and go underground and take our gold, but what tells them to go into communities and start committing crimes?”

The mind boggles.

I mean, just days out from Women’s Day and he’s done it again.

On woman’s day let’s revisit the recent utterances of Bheki Cele.. If you get raped by one guy be thankful it wasn’t by many.. To the zama zamas out there.. Our minister can’t “imagine a beautiful woman being with you”..but if you ugly that’s what you get??

— Brett Ben Raphael (@Brettbenraphael) August 9, 2022

Residents also accused Cele of “grandstanding” and making “emotional statements and empty promises for the cameras”.

That’s essentially what he thinks his mandate entails. Ntombizodwa Ntsumba, who spoke with TimesLIVE, saw through the bluster:

Ntsumba said the community was “too receptive” to the minister’s “nonchalant”, flippant  remarks.

“He felt welcome and comfortable with the community. We are not interested in his jokes, but action against the crime,” she said.

Fast forward a few days and there Cele is again, appearing outside the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Monday. One of the men appearing was linked to the murder of crime activist Rashieda Brown.

Hanover Park residents weren’t about to let Cele make his customary empty promises without getting an earful:

Nods his head, talks about hearing the community’s concerns, hops in his motorcade, and buggers off until the next time.

This about sums it up:

Bheki Cele always follows crime, never prevents crime

— Peter Mansfield (@Peterman43) August 7, 2022

Yesterday, more of the same in Ennerdale, Gauteng, where residents handed over a memorandum of demands calling for improved policing in the area.

The Citizen reports:

The residents say they want to bring their plight to the attention of Cele.

“Our youth are being killed in their numbers without any recourse, our girls have become victims of rape, and gender-based violence in so-called lollie lounges (drug dens) and our community is victimized by police.”

Cele said his visit means he is now “better equipped” to understand the community’s issues so that he can “sit down with the national and provincial commissioner to say ‘let’s go and fix the community.’”

Bheki, it’s identical to what communities across the country say day in and day out. You don’t need to rock up in your wannabe gangster hat and spout the same shite every time.

With his foot wedged so firmly in his mouth, you would think he may have the common sense to hou sy bek now and again.

[sources:timeslive&citizen]