Cele ‘sensible’ to visit Zuma amid possible arrest – policing expert

This comes after Cele made a surprising visit to the KwaZulu-Natal home of former president Jacob Zuma on Thursday.  

Zuma is in hot water with the law for refusing to comply with Constitutional Court’s order to appear and testify before the State Capture Commission of Inquiry. 

Several legal experts have said Zuma faces possible jail time for snubbing the highest court in the land.  

Zuma's defiance has raised concern about the loss of integrity for the South African judiciary. 

Burger has welcomed Cele’s visit.

“The visit of Police Minister Bheki Cele to Jacob Zuma comes as no surprise and in fact this is the sensible thing to do given the fact that the president is acting against a Constitutional Court order defying both the Constitutional Court and the Zondo Commission of Inquiry. 

“The police would then have to go under normal circumstances arrest the person who is defiant in this way but we know from the facts that this will lead to confrontation and possible violence.” 

ALSO READ:

The chair of the commission, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, vowed to approach the court to declare Zuma in contempt of court. 

Zuma’s supporters have since threatened to act as human shields should police come knocking on Zuma’s door.  

Burger believes Cele’s visit is an attempt to arrest a situation that could turn ugly. 

“I think it is appropriate, I think it’s sensible that the minister of police visit the president and try and convince him to try and cooperate and that would go a long way in avoiding violent confrontation between the police and whoever then wishes to associate with former president and would try to protect him,” he adds.

“I think if there is a message the message would be that the police are willing to consider alternative methods of ensuing that citizens are held accountable and not to necessarily resort to violent methods.” 

It remains unclear what the pair discussed but Burger is convinced Cele tried to sway Zuma into cooperating with the law.  

“This is the right thing to do and I’m hoping has the positive outcome that the minister hopes,” said Burger.  

Cele’s office also remains mum, only saying Cele would first address the higher structures of the African National Congress (ANC) before revealing the agenda of his visit.