Cele defends initial refusal to fund legal fees for Apartheid-era police officers

By Thapelo Molefe

Former police minister Bheki Cele has defended his initial refusal to approve state funding for the legal fees of former apartheid-era Security Branch officers, telling the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry that his decision was shaped by his personal experiences under apartheid.

Cele testified before the commission on Tuesday, which is investigating allegations that officials in the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) colluded with politicians to delay or obstruct investigations into apartheid-era crimes referred by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

He said his reluctance to authorise the payments stemmed from the trauma of losing comrades during the apartheid struggle.

“I did not wake up and become a Minister of Police. I had a history before then, which I carried with me into this position,” Cele told the commission.

“When I had to make decisions as Minister of Police, and issues came