Police Minister Bheki Cele says the relationship between himself and the National Police Commissioner Khehla Sitole, has not contributed to instability within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Police top brass have briefed Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on stability and restructuring within the service.
Members of Parliament questioned Cele about media reports that the two leaders are at loggerheads.
But Cele says the nature of their relationship has no bearing on the work they do.
“The National Commissioner and I, let me repeat, we are not friends. We don’t drink coffee together. But we work together. In that work, (there are) things we won’t agree upon … (it’s) not animosity. (It) might be that there are things we don’t agree on, but to say we are chaos, we don’t work together, I don’t agree.”
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Meanwhile, Head of the Hawks, General Godfrey Lebeya says 11 people out of 12, believed to be some of the instigators of the violence and looting in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, have been arrested.
Lebeya told MPs that law enforcement agencies are making progress in their investigations.
“Regarding the 12 people mentioned, the National Commissioner has indicated that there are other people already arrested. A whole process is taking place between investigating team and NPA.”
Police say consecutive budget cuts have led to an increase in the ratio between officials and the population.
The police management has told MPs that the budget cuts have also impacted crime fighting.
SAPS Head of Strategic Management Lieutenant General Leon Rabie says, “As a result, we see growing population compared to reduced police service. The ratio of police to population is increasing. So, at best, (we) had ratio of 1 to 254 and (we’re) currently, seeing ratio of 1 to 327.”
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