China honours Cele with Great Wall Commemorative Medal
The Chinese government has lauded Police Minister Bheki Cele for his “outstanding contributions towards protecting Chinese citizens”.
China's Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong presented Cele the Great Wall Commemorative Medal, which was awarded especially to law enforcement role players from foreign countries, at an event in Lianyungang, China.
This came as Chinese President Xi Jinping visited South Africa for his fourth state visit on the back of the 15th BRICS Summit in Sandton, Johannesburg.
READ: Hosting of BRICS Summit 'all in all, a big success', says Pandor
Cele was given the Great Wall Commemorative Medal award for the South African Police Service’s contribution to the broader law enforcement cooperation between the two countries.
“It is the fourth time that His Excellency President Mr Xi Jinping has visited South Africa, and each time, he and his delegation enjoy a very high standard of security. This includes his most recent state visit and his attendance at the 15th BRICS Summit hosted in Johannesburg last month. We are very appreciative of the work of the police under your leadership, Minister Cele, and the continued policing interventions and other law enforcement cooperations,” said Minister Xiaohong.
#PoliceMinistry The People’s Republic of China has awarded Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele a Great Wall Commemorative Medal for the South African Police Service’s contribution to the broader law enforcement cooperation between the two countries. MLhttps://t.co/CzDKKrepgx pic.twitter.com/edrQzFdKJy
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 22, 2023
However, back home, opposition parties and some civic organisations have called for Cele’s head over the high levels of crime in the country.
The latest crime statistics, released in August, showed a decrease in the number of murders and sexual offence cases reported to the police between April and June compared to the same period last year.
READ MORE: Cele under fire for latest crime stats
Commenting at the time, anti-crime organisation Action Society’s Ian Cameron said he believed figures left Cele with blood on his hands.
While in China, Cele delivered an address at the opening ceremony of the Forum focusing on deepening collaborations to advance public security, between over 50 countries, including South Africa.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the conference, Minister Cele had a meeting with the President of Interpol, Major General Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi.
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