The current police minister Bheki Cele was born in Umzumbe on Tuesday, April 22, 1952. He went on to get his education diploma. Cele taught at Mbumbulu schools after completing his teacher’s diploma and joined the ANC military structures under Jacob Zuma’s leadership. Many people would be startled to find that our police minister’s only academic qualification is this.
There are no documents to back up his claim that he worked as a security guard or security personnel in the United Kingdom. He rose to national prominence during the Jacob Zuma period, when various amusing characters were elevated to top posts in government and party despite possessing the necessary qualifications.
Cele is already being compared to Lloyd James Austin, the United States’ Minister of Defense. Before becoming a minister, Cele had no military experience, whereas Austin had almost 40 years. Cels never served in the military at the highest level, although Austin was a four-star general.
This government just says “shuffle and shuffle” when it comes to the cabinet. It’s as if there are no other people in South Africa who are better or more qualified. They are cycled to the next portfolio if they fail in one. It makes me sad to see this.
Should we, however, compare a developed country to a poor country? Is it acceptable to compare Cele to an American minister?