Police lease saga claims another scalp

And it's not over. A City Press report notes that a total of seven senior public works officials, including DG Siviwe Dongwana, are still on suspension in relation to the leases. The report says Zuma fired former Public Works Minister Geoff Doidge in 2010. A year later, Zuma fired Doidge's replacement, Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde, replacing her with incumbent Thulas Nxesi in October. According to the report, a month before Mahlangu-Nkabinde was fired she instituted legal action against Roux Shabangu, owner of the leased buildings, to get the High Court to nullify the leases. The case is pending. In court papers Mahlangu-Nkabinde blames Cele's department. Meanwhile the SAPS has set aside R600m to pay Shabangu should he win his court case. According to a report on the News24 site, Cele's sacking came eight months after he was suspended by Zuma and followed Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's laying the blame for the lease deals at his door. Both Madonsela and the board of inquiry into Cele's fitness to hold office could not find any evidence that Cele was corrupt or that he had had a corrupt relationship with Shabangu. But Madonsela found that Cele's involvement in the deals was 'improper, unlawful, and amounted to maladministration'. Full City Press report Full report on the News24 site

Cele is not going down without a fight. A report on the News24 site notes Cele said yesterday he will go to court to challenge the findings of the Justice Moloi report which found him unfit for office and led to his sacking. Cele said he believes that a court will view the findings of the commission unjust. According to a report on the IoL site, Cele said he would go quietly. 'I will not engage in any pointless back chattings, I will simply shut up and go home.' Cele has vowed to settle political scores, according to a report in The Times which notes Cele made it clear yesterday he was out to expose Ministers who conspired against him. The report says he accused Ministers of having met Moloi before the inquiry began. Cele is quoted in the report as saying: 'I have minutes of a meeting Moloi attended with the inquiry's prosecutors and other. They contain the names of a minister and ministerial representatives.' Moloi said last night he did not have time to argue with people who did not know what they were talking about, the report states. Full report on the News24 site Full report on the IoL site Full report in The Times

Meanwhile, Cele has been slated for attending the Durban Regional Court case of his 'foster daughter' Shauwn Mpisane on day one of her trial on R5m tax fraud charges, says a report in The Mercury. He arrived alone and without ceremony and did not return after the lunch adjournment. But Paul Hoffman, of the Institute of Accountability in SA, slammed his presence in the courtroom as 'utterly inappropriate'. Full report in The Mercury (subscription needed) See court report in South Africa section (below)

Newly appointed National Police Commissioner Mangwashi Victoria Phiyega will fight crime and corruption within the police service, the ANC said on Tuesday. Spokesperson Jackson Mthembu is quoted in a report in The Citizen as saying: 'Her experience in the public service, her knowledge of public policy and her understanding of government will come in handy in ensuring that she rises to the challenge of her new portfolio, and the need to sustain our fight against crime and corruption within the police service and the public in general.' Opposition parties commented on Phiyega's lack of experience. The DA said the appointment showed Zuma was desperate for support ahead of the ANC's elective conference in Mangaung later in the year. The African Christian Democratic Party welcomed Zuma's decision to release Cele from his duties. The Congress of the People said Cele's dismissal was long-awaited, but the party was surprised by the new appointment, saying Phiyega lacked experience. Full report in The Citizen