Bheki Cele calls for tighter bail and parole laws

Former Police Minister Bheki Cele has expressed concern that magistrates and courts are not always sympathetic to the efforts of the police in securing convictions.

He argues that the country's laws regarding bail and parole must be revisited and tightened to prevent individuals accused of serious crimes, such as murder, from being released.

READ: Cele calls for entire investigation into entire criminal justice system

Cele, who was continuing his testimony before the Ad Hoc Committee probing police corruption, cited a high-profile case to illustrate his point.

He specifically mentioned Judge Aubrey Ledwaba, who has been accused at the Madlanga Commission of accepting a bribe before granting bail to murder accused Katiso 'Cat' Molefe.

Cele emphasised that such instances undermine police work: "I don't know if the members are aware of the fire that is burning around Judge Ledwaba with the bail of Molefe and that he was given R2.5 million to grant the bail. So there is that. The magistrates are not very sympathetic to the work of the police. So if they can enhance those laws, let's do so."

CELE: I LIKE MKHWANAZI

Cele said he is fond of KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi but says he's a human being who also makes mistakes.

Cele was responding to Mkhwanazi's withdrawal of his allegations that he received payments from murder accused Matlala.

"One police officer I like Mkhwanazi. Not because he's Mkhwanazi and not because he's beautiful, but because he knows his work, but Mkhwanazi is a human being like you and me, he's got his faults."

But Cele warned that the country should be careful when praising people like Mkhwanazi because of their popularity.