Minister of Police Bheki Cele was a no-show in Malvern’s Murray Park on September 8, despite previously committing to and inviting various stakeholders and the community to a planned Ministerial Imbizo.
The imbizo was intended as an intervention towards quelling unrest in the area and surrounds.
The last-minute cancellation of Cele’s attendance at the imbizo, which saw hundreds of people including izinduna (traditional leaders) from the surrounding hostels of Jeppe, Denver and Kwa Mai Mai, was met with bitterness.
Former IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi took the opportunity to make his presence felt by arriving at the venue, not as a politician this time, but as an elderly citizen to express his shock and concern about the recent unrest in Joburg.
Buthelezi, try as he did, could not find his way with the crowd, from which a splinter group had quickly formed and departed from the venue.
It was reported later that same day that another building was burnt in Malvern, while the entrance to a building in Maboneng damaged.
The EXPRESS contacted Police Ministry spokesperson Lirandzu Themba for information around the minister’s non-attendance.
Themba said the Ministry decided to postpone the Imbizo to a future date, which will be announced in due course.
“Due to the fact that the planned imbizo coincides with other important dates that equally affects the interested parties of the imbizo, in particular the Annual Reed Dance in KwaZulu-Natal, it had to be cancelled.
“Earlier engagements between the Minister of Police and his Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini resolved that the planned imbizo be rescheduled to a later date that will allow for maximum attendance of all affected parties,” said Themba.
“All role players, including izinduna, councillors and stakeholders, have been consulted about the postponement. They were all in agreement and made an undertaking to cascade the information to the communities they lead.
“The police minister wishes to acknowledge and appreciates the improved working relations between police and affected communities, and further sends a strong message to police officers on the ground to continue to maintain law and order; and to communities to continue to respect the rule of law,” she said.
