Police Minister Bheki Cele sparked outrage when he completely lost his cool in a fiery encounter with Action Society leader Ian Cameron at a community symposium on rampant crime in Cape Town.
Bheki Cele boots anti-crime activist for criticising police
Tensions were rife at the community meeting held in Cape Town on Tuesday, where Cele came face-to-face with disgruntled residents about ongoing inaction by law enforcement in addressing the scourge of crime in townships.
Cele, fresh off a positive PR run with the arrest of Cape Town’s most-feared gang boss Yanga ‘Bara’ Nyalara, did not expect to be challenged at the symposium. However, Action Society’s Ian Cameron, a staunch anti-crime activist, didn’t afford Cele the luxury of an easy pass.
Instead, when it was his turn to address the minister, Action Society’s director of community safety criticised Cele for condemning vigilanteeism and challenged him ” to do patrols with the women from the area.”
This, however, did not sit well with the minister, who blasted Cameron for treating him like a garden boy, the same way his parents were during apartheid, and after qualifying himself as a struggle veteran, Cele ordered the Action Society leader to be booted from the meeting.
Here’s video footage of the incident showing the moment Cameron was manhandled out of the meeting by a team of armed officers.
There was a tense exchange as Police Minister, Bheki Cele, met Gugulethu residents today. Action Society accused him of neglecting the Western Cape. The group wants policing devolved to the province. #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/TKwp2L6n2C
— eNCA (@eNCA) July 5, 2022
WATCH: @IanCameron23 from @ActionSocietySA forcibly removed after raising concerns about policing issues within the Gugulethu and Nyanga community. @News24 @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/rz123pPYwu
— Marvin Charles (@MarvinCharles_) July 5, 2022
Defending the minister’s uncouth behaviour, national police spokesperson Lirandzu Themba, claimed Cameron was only forced out of the meeting after he had failed to cooperate with requests to refrain from interrupting proceedings.
“He was removed after repeatedly interrupting a meeting despite being given a fair change to raise his concerns prior, without any interruptions. Mr Cameron was escorted out of the meeting after failing to stop his disruptive behaviour,” Themba wrote in a tweet.
However, according to Action Society’s director of community safety, “Cele is once again abusing the police force for political gain and holding authority over ordinary citizens.”
“The SAPS will never succeed in fighting crime if Cele stays in his position. Action Society will, however, continue to be a voice for the voiceless where the police neglect their duty,” the organisation wrote in a statement released shortly after the incident.
Cele’s antics have been widely criticised. Here are some of the reactions:
I wish @SAPoliceService use the same energy to combat gangsters and criminals in our communities!
— Ricardo Mackenzie MPL🇿🇦 (@ricardomackenzi) July 5, 2022
Minister Cele hate being called out He is a authoritarian of note. Well done @IanCameron23 for calling him out for his failure to do his job! pic.twitter.com/aXq5BqEqpg
Proud of you @IanCameron23 for standing your ground against the dictator Bheki Cele during his so-called visit to Western Cape. We are not going to tolerate ANC incompetent ministers anymore in the W. Cape. Thank you Ian Cameron for your leadership. Proud @ricardomackenzi pic.twitter.com/d7TgmaBEjK
— Ivan Meyer (@ivan2meyer) July 5, 2022
Cele abusing his power to silence criticism. Unacceptable behaviour by the minister. Having @SAPoliceService members remove @IanCameron23 shows that he is unfit for his position. https://t.co/K2Nn9Gyzft
— Jacques Broodryk (@JacquesBroodryk) July 5, 2022
This is a disgrace. Crime is rampant. The Police have already stated that they can't keep people safe anymore. Minister Cele should be embarrased about his performance. Instead, when he gets criticised he accuses his critics of being racist and screams at them to "shurrup!"
— Ernst Roets (@ErnstRoets) July 5, 2022
🤮 https://t.co/BXy4SqeOC8
