Former police minister Cele cleared of wrongdoing related to 2023 RWC trip to Paris

JOHANNESBURG - The public protector has cleared former police minister, Bheki Cele of wrongdoing on his Paris trip to the Rugby World Cup.

Cele was accused of breaching the executive ethics code when he used public funds to make the trip with his executive assistant.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) laid the complaint against Cele after the trip in 2023, arguing that it was unrelated to his official duties as police minister.

They also claimed that Cele exposed himself to a potential conflict of interest when he accepted sponsorship from SuperSport.

But Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka found in Cele's favour.

"The allegation that Mr Cele acted in a manner that is inconsistent with his office when he used public funds to attend the Rugby World Cup in 2023 is unsubstantiated."

The report said that ministers and their deputies were permitted to be accompanied by staff when they travelled abroad.