President Cyril Ramaphosa has notified Police Commissioner, Khehla Sitole of his intention to suspend him.

It follows allegations that Sitole had intentionally delayed several IPID investigations into corrupt procurement deals.

These were for contracts in the Crime Intelligence environment.

President Ramaphosa had written to Sitole in September for his response to the allegations.

He has called for a board of inquiry into the National Commissioner’s alleged misconduct.

Sitole has already submitted his response to the President’s notice.

Stellenbosch University criminologist, Professor Guy Lamb says that this action has been a long-time coming.

He notes that the relationship between Sitole and Police Minister Bheki Cele had soured.

Lamb suggests that this became worse following the July unrest, and the crime intelligence sector’s failure to quell the riots.

He says that Sitole’s behaviour provides insight into the crisis of the senior police management in South Africa.

[Header image: GCIS]