Dear Editor
The DA remains appalled and disgusted at Minister Bheki Cele’s “lucky to not be raped” sentiment, which demonstrates how deeply unsuitable he is to be Police Minister.
Worse still, over 7 days later, neither Cele has apologised nor has President Ramaphosa reprimanded the loose-lipped Minister.
We believe that Cele’s “lucky to not be raped” sentiment is absolutely unacceptable, and dangerous. It perpetuates a culture of blaming or blame-sharing female rape victims, and implies there is some sort of gratitude missing among those women who escape South Africa’s out of control rape pandemic.
The DA believes that it is so antithetical to his oath, as a member of Parliament, so egregious a pronouncement as minister and so damaging a sentiment for society, that it warrants a Parliamentary Investigation by the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests. We believe that the Registrar of Members’ Interests should refer Minister Cele for investigation for breach of his oath and breach of the codes which are binding on him. See our letter to the Registrar here.
Once more we give President Ramaphosa the opportunity to condemn and chastise Minister Cele, and better yet, to fire him once and for all so that the SAPS can be rescued from his failing hands.
More than 30 000 South Africans have already signed the DA’s petition to call for just that.
Regards
Nazley Sharif MP
DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities
