By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
National Police Commissioner General Khehla Sitole on Tuesday hit back at claims that he was part of a plot to remove Police Minister Bheki Cele from office.
During the State of the Nation Address debate on Monday, Cele said that Sitole and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema met on 10 December 2020 to discussing his removal.
In a responding statement earlier on Tuesday afternoon, Sitole’s office said he was shocked and dismayed by the allegations.
“The national commissioner confirms that he met with Julius Malema, a meeting which was initiated by the ministry of police and the meeting was held specifically at the behest of the Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Charlie Mathale. The Deputy Minister requested General Sitole to meet with Malema to address potential threats against the EFF leader.”
Sitole said he was under the impression that Cele knew about the meeting and its agenda, “given that it was facilitated by his deputy”.
The national commissioner is amazed by the fact that his name and image is being tarnished for political reasons. He decided to issue this statement of clarity since his name is mentioned in Parliament and it’s important for such an institution to know and understand the facts,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile Cele has been asked to withdraw his claim in the Parliamentary sitting that Malema had plotted with Sitole to remove him from office.
Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli said Cele had to bring a substantive motion to Parliament for this allegation to be considered.
He said since Cele had not brought a substantive motion he would have to withdraw his remarks.
This came after EFF deputy leader Floyd Shivambu had asked the presiding officers to ask Cele to withdraw the allegation as he had not tabled a substantive motion in line with the rules of Parliament.
“Such allegations can only be brought by a way of a substantive motion comprising of a clearly formulated and properly substantiated charge that in the opinion of the presiding officers prima facie warrants consideration by the House and, of course, such a motion would need to be considered in the relevant House, this being a joint sitting. I therefore ask honourable Cele to withdraw his statement about honourable Malema, Such allegations can only be made by way of a substantive motion,” Tsenoli said.
Cele withdrew his remarks.