Outcry as Police Minister Bheki Cele Uses SAPS Helicopter for ANC Manifesto Event

The arrival of Police Minister Bheki Cele at an African National Congress (ANC) manifesto launch in a South African Police Service (SAPS) helicopter has stirred significant controversy, with allegations of misconduct and misuse of state resources. The incident, captured on video and widely disseminated, brought to the forefront questions about the minister’s constitutional mandate and the boundaries of political influence over law enforcement agencies.

Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, representing SAPS, defended the helicopter's presence, explaining that it was deployed to oversee the safety of the large gathering at the ANC event, in line with the Sasrea Act's requirements for the Natjoints to provide security at major functions. She emphasized that the SAPS co-chair, who is also the deputy national commissioner responsible for visible policing and operations, had ensured the necessary police presence, including the controversial air support.

However, crime activist Ian Cameron and others pointedly criticized the official explanation, highlighting that Minister Cele's role does not encompass direct involvement in operational tasks. They argue that his actions overstep his responsibility, which should be limited to policy-making and strategic oversight for the police force, not hands-on engagement with operational deployments.

Gareth Newham, head of justice and violence prevention at the Institute for Security Studies, similarly stressed the importance of professionalizing the SAPS and shielding it from political meddling. He warned that untrained individuals influencing operational decisions can have adverse effects and introduce risks to law enforcement effectiveness.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), an opposition party, has strongly reacted, demanding that Cele be charged personally for the helicopter usage and calling for a thorough internal investigation into the decision-making process that allowed such usage. DA shadow minister of police, Andrew Whitfield, described Cele's actions as a flagrant abuse of state resources, and stressed the need for disciplinary measures against any SAPS personnel involved in approving the helicopter's flight.

The debate around this incident continues the broader discourse on the separation of party and state functions. Critics argue that state resources, like the assets of the SAPS, should never serve party political interests. This ongoing scrutiny places the spotlight on the accountability of public officials and the governance practices within South Africa's state institutions.