Bheki Cele

Bheki Cele
Cele at a press conference in June 2010
Minister of Police
In office
26 February 2018 – 17 June 2024
PresidentCyril Ramaphosa
Preceded byFikile Mbalula
Succeeded bySenzo Mchunu
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
In office
26 May 2014 – 24 February 2018
PresidentJacob Zuma
Cyril Ramaphosa
MinisterSenzeni Zokwana
Preceded byPieter Mulder
National Commissioner of the South African Police Service
In office
July 2009 – October 2011
PresidentJacob Zuma
MinisterNathi Mthethwa
Preceded byJackie Selebi
Succeeded byRiah Phiyega
Deputy Provincial Secretary of the African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal
In office
1996–1998
Provincial ChairpersonJacob Zuma
Provincial SecretarySipho Gcabashe
Preceded bySifiso Nkabinde
Succeeded bySenzo Mchunu
Personal details
Born
Bhekokwakhe Hamilton Cele

(1952-04-22) 22 April 1952 (age 72)
Umzumbe, Natal, Union of South Africa
Political partyAfrican National Congress
Spouses
Thando Ngcobo
(divorced)
Thembeka Ngcobo
(m. 2010)
[1]
Occupation
  • Politician
  • legislator
  • police officer

  • military veteran

  • anti-apartheid activist
ProfessionTeacher
Military service
AllegianceUnion of South Africa
Branch/serviceUmkhonto We Sizwe
Years of service1984 – 1994
UnitUnderground unit
CommandsSouth African National Defence Force
Police career
DepartmentSouth African Police Service
Department of Police (South Africa)
Service years2009 – present
RankGeneral
Commissioner

Bhekokwakhe "Bheki" Hamilton Cele (born 22 April 1952)[2][3] was the South African Minister of Police from February 2018 to 17 June 2024.[4] He was National Commissioner of the South African Police Service for two years, until misconduct allegations led to his suspension in October 2011 and removal in June 2012.[5] He has also served as Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, on the KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council, and in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature. He is a member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress, and was imprisoned on Robben Island during apartheid.[6][7]

  1. ^ Naidoo, Alicia (3 January 2022). "Bheki Cele: A young wife, baby mama, and 'forgotten' love child". The South African. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ South African Government. "Bheki Cele, Gen". www.gov.za. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  4. ^ Plessis, Carien du (27 February 2018). "Cabinet Reshuffle: SA government gets a full makeover". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  5. ^ "South Africa police chief Bheki Cele fired by Jacob Zuma". BBC News. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  6. ^ "The National Executive Committee". African National Congress. 23 April 2018. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  7. ^ Dixon, Robyn (27 September 2009). "South Africa struggles with rising crime". Los Angeles Times. Johannesburg. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.