The chief of police who stirs up trouble

By Mike Hamilton - Mirror.co.uk

Blundering police chief Bheki Cele - who lied to the world in a bid to convict UK newspaper journalist Simon Wright (Who was arrested, jailed and put on trial after embarrassing South African police) - has earned a reputation as a motormouth over slurs, inaccuracies and insults.

He sparked a diplomatic row before The World Cup by saying he hoped America would not get too far in the tournament so President Barack Obama would not visit South Africa.

Cele, 58, was ticked off by government officials after telling parliament that hosting the world's most powerful leader would pose a major headache for police.

In May he came under fire after claiming Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke had been "almost in tears" because he was under so much pressure to withdraw the World Cup from South Africa. Baffled Mr Valcke issued a statement to confirm he had never been told to move the tournament, and added: "Mr Cele made a big mistake."

Other gaffes include his admission last August that he would happily suppress statistics on South Africa's crime rate. The loose-tongued police boss was slammed by opposition MPs for the mistake just days after being sworn in.

Cele - who took control of the 180,000-strong force a year ago - said: "I will support whatever we do that gives us an upper edge to fight the crime. If releasing stats helps us to fight crime better, I will support that. If a moratorium helps us better, I will support that."

The self-styled "general" - ridiculed for bringing in military ranks for officers - was accused of ramping up his role when he ordered MPs to address him with his Army rank in March. Former South African cabinet minister Kader Asmal accused the police chief of being "idiotic" and "whimsical".

Cele had caused trouble even before he became police chief. In 2007 he was caught in a convoy doing than 100 mph - apparently because he was late for a meeting.

And he has faced claims his ex-girlfriend bombarded him with texts vowing to destroy him after he ended their relationship last year.

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/07/18/the-chief-of-police-who-stirs-up-trouble-115875-22421113/#ixzz14ROz4bqh