By Political Bureau
With President Jacob Zuma expected to inform the cabinet on Wednesday who will step into the hot seat vacated by National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi, analysts, opposition parties and the country's largest police union have urged the selection of a career police officer, rather than a political appointee.
The cabinet meets on Wednesday, a few days ahead of the expiry of Selebi's extended term in office – the past two years having been spent on special leave over accusations of corruption.
Parties have been raising questions over some of the contenders for the post.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Bheki Cele and Western Cape SAPS Provincial Commissioner Mzwandile Petros have been singled out for criticism – mainly because of their close association with the ruling party. Cele, a long-standing Zuma ally, is considered the front-runner.
Criminologist Dr Johan Burger said on Tuesday that it was difficult, if not impossible, for someone without the required professional background to "settle into the unique culture of the police" and understand the complexities of both police structures and the science of policing.
"We saw the decentralisation and closure of special units under Jackie Selebi, which… demonstrated… lack of understanding about why you have special units and what makes them special.
"Policing… is a science, not easily understood outside of the force… it is always good to have… someone who has come through the ranks and who understands what goes on in the minds of police who work on the beat."
Another essential quality for a commissioner was an ability to interact with the public and media. "You need to have a public face for the police – not only official… spokespersons," said Burger, a senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies. "You also need a high level of integrity, someone beyond reproach."
Senior crime researcher David Bruce, of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, agreed: "I think we need to look for someone who can be a kind of figurehead… (who) can talk to both the public and the people on the beat."
The IFP said yesterday that Cele was not suitable. Its police spokesman, Velaphi Ndlovu, said his appointment would send a message that the government was more interested in handing out top jobs to comrades "and less concerned with tackling crime head-on".
DA shadow police minister Dianne Kohler-Barnard also called on Zuma to "put party politics aside and make a nonpartisan decision, based on merit and expertise".
She said Petros had a history of operating in an "ethically dubious, politically compromised manner".
"The public deserve better – they deserve a police commissioner who will act in the interests of all South Africans and not the narrow political interests of the ANC."
The ANC-aligned SA Police Union wanted an appointment from their own ranks, saying they have within them the skills a commissioner requires.
Contenders are understood to include acting National Police Commissioner Tim Williams; Andre Pruis, a deputy national commissioner and head of security for the 2010 World Cup; and assistant commissioners Raymond Lalla and Gary Kruser.
In IOL.
CSVR is a multi-disciplinary institute that seeks to understand and prevent violence, heal its effects and build sustainable peace at the community, national and regional levels.
