Fighting Bheki Cele’s bloodbath legacy

Action Society, the former home of crime fighter Ian Cameron, who is now the Chair of the Portfolio Committee on Police in Parliament, is continuing its fight for justice for victims and their families. In this interview with spokesperson Juanita du Preez, she describes how former Police Minister Bheki Cele was an “obstacle” in the fight against crime. Discussing the official crime statistics for between April and June this year when 6 228 people were murdered, she says “…we often say that it's a war zone or a bloodbath and we keep coming back to those. We are suffering to find new synonyms for that, but it is appropriate… I think the legacy of Cele, unfortunately, we will still see for quite a while.” However, the new Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, “does seem like a better fit”. Du Preez lists the urgent reforms needed not just in law enforcement, but in the justice- and parole systems as well. Praising new Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald for the measures he is taking, she says currently “40% of people out on parole just go out and re-offend…not just stealing an apple or something like that: serious crimes: murder, rape, sexual offenses…It’s just a pause before they can commit the next crime.” Meanwhile, she hails Cameron for bringing “urgency” to his new role.