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WOW. The three leaders of the South African Police Service are having a tough time deciding who is in charge.
The Sunday Times revealed how Police Minister, Nathi Mthethwa and his deputy, Fikile Mbalula, are battling over who gets the most attention.
Meanwhile, there is a third player in the ring, another powerful political figure in Police Commissioner, Bheki Cele.
The confusion has arisen for one simple and, probably, very good reason: President Jacob Zuma has elevated the fight against crime to national priority status.
Mbalula, who ran the ANC’s election campaign, is probably owed a big favour by Jacob Zuma. He (and many in the anc would agree) sees himself as senior to Mthethwa.
By changing the name of portfolio from Safety and Security Minister to Police Minister, Zuma has eliminated the distinction between civillian and operational control over the service, hence Cele’s belief that he is the top dog.
The good news: The fight against crime is clearly no longer a reluctant, over-contextualised item at the bottom of the list – it has become something worth fighting for within the ANC.
The bad news: As these three go toe to toe, they will reinforce the dangerous populist direction that policing is taking. Look out for ever-more outrageous calls for police violence against suspected criminals.

Related posts:

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  2. Mbalula: Innocent will die in the crossfire of fight against crime
  3. Kader Asmal’s very good point is lost in the sound and fury
  4. It’s payback time as Zuma appoints Mo Shaik as new spy boss
  5. Manuel says who’s boss. But who will pay for it all?

 

Comments

 

sue

November 9, 2009 at 10:30 am

Herwith attached the article published in today’s Citizen. We would like to know whether you

require the clip on this shoot done yesterday on the strongest BPV available , openly done

in front of the media.We had previously invited you to attend the shoot, unfortunately, it would appear

that you had no staff available to attend.

Regarding the press, we have had international coverage, as well as local media coverage, that have witnessed

this shoot , to which they were extremely excited to see the type of weapons and ammunition used.

I believe that our particular Level IV vest would be of tremendous iterest to the soldiers in the field,

Middle East, USA, Brittish , German , Italian forces and many more.

It would be adventageous, not only to you and your viewers but to ourselves (2010 worldcup),

I would request kindly that you see the

attached newspaper clipping and consider the advantages of this product.

We are arranging a second shoot by an overwhelming request, which will ensure that you are

able to take advantage of this,for your viewers. Please, by return email soonest,

we would need to know the suitable date to co ordinate and

re-perform this test shoot.

 

Eli Jikelele

November 10, 2009 at 12:04 pm

It is sadly true that all three are useless and will not improve the horrendous crime morass an iota.

Self-agrandisement together with self-enrichment under Jacob Zuma is the way of doing things in the ANC.

Because….. together we can do more …. harm!!!

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    I am Ray Hartley, the editor of The Times, South Africa, a daily newspaper which was launched in June 2007 under the Sunday Times umbrella. I'm also the editor of Times LIVE.

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