SA Policing Union Rubbishes Bheki Cele's Claim that Police Will Not Get Leave During the Festive Season

• The Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, has received backlash for his remarks about police officers not getting leave this festive
• The South African Policing Union (SAPU) called Cele for making those remarks stating it would cause tension
• Some South Africans are wondering how Cele is still the Minister of Police and has not yet been fired

JOHANNESBURG - Police Minister Bheki Cele has gotten on many people's nerves after saying no police officer will not be taking leave this festive season.

Cele made these comments during the Safer Festive Season Campaign in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, last week and said officers of the law will not get leave from 15 December until the end of January 2023.

The South African Policing Union (SAPU) has spoken out against Cele's remarks and stated that his approach to policing will create tension in the police force, reported TimesLIVE.

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In a statement issued by the union, SAPU said Cele's comments are a clear act of provocation because he has no authority to take such decisions. The trade union added that police officers, like other public servants, have the right to take leave.

SAPU accused Cele of being a media populist who would do and say anything to get the media's attention. The organisation added that police officers should not panic because Cele was "overwhelmed by television cameras".

The policing union called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to refresh Cele's understanding of his job description as the Minister of Police because he seemed unclear about his responsibilities.

Here's what South Africans had to say about Cele's comments:

@v8_kenneycool said:

"Will that stop crimes?

@GoddaSuwe said:

"SAPS needs more officers, so there won't be a need to deny others leave. More recruitment. More recruitment."

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@MR_TANGBON said:

"Simply, the police must submit their leave now, or alternatively sick leave. All suits them."

Mzansi Stans partygoers telling Bheki Cele and police they want to party: "SA is definitely scripted"

Briefly News previously reported that it's never a dull day in South Africa, and a bunch of partygoers who told Minister of Police Bheki Cele and his cops that they wanted to continue partying proved that.

@VusiMzobe shared the clip online because of how surprised he was at how the crowd responded to the presence of Bheki. The Twitter post made Mzansi howl and share hilarious jokes about what happens in South Africa.

When it comes to partying, SA peeps know how to do it well, so much so that the music Mzansi dances to has become a viral phenomenon worldwide. The vibes even seep their way into some schools (minus the alcohol, of course), where teachers dance with their students.

Source: Briefly News