In a defiant opening to his testimony, former Police Minister Bheki Cele expressed his disturbance over media reports portraying him as uncooperative with the parliamentary committee investigating police corruption.
Appearing before the Ad Hoc Committee on Thursday, Cele immediately set the record straight, pushing back against what he suggested was a false narrative. He emphasized his consistent willingness to cooperate, going as far as highlighting that he personally covered his own travel expenses to attend preliminary consultations in Cape Town.
“I was a little bit disturbed when the media said I’m not cooperating,” Cele told the committee, specifically calling out a prominent KZN newspaper for a headline claiming he had snubbed the inquiry. “I have never done that.”
His statement served as a preemptive strike, framing himself as a willing participant in the process ahead of what is expected to be a detailed and potentially explosive testimony. Cele is set to give evidence on organized crime syndicates, state failure, and allegations concerning the handling of classified information.
By leading with his grievance about the media, Cele sought to position himself as a transparent figure wronged by press reports, setting a defensive and assertive tone for his entire appearance.
About The Author
