Bheki Cele, the former National Police Commissioner, reveals how the 2010 FIFA World Cup overshadowed vital investigations into TRC cases, as he becomes the first former police minister to testify at the TRC Cases Inquiry.
Former National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele has addressed allegations regarding his supposed awareness of the disappearance of anti-apartheid activist Musawakhe "Sbho" Phewa, firmly denying any knowledge of the case.
During his testimony before the TRC Cases Inquiry on Tuesday, the former police minister and national police commissioner described the claims as "untrue and deeply hurtful.
Born on 18 January 1967 in Lamontville, KwaZulu-Natal, Phewa was an anti-apartheid activist, a member of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and an underground Mkhonto weSizwe (MK) operative. Phewa had ties with Ntombikayise Priscilla Kubheka, who ran the ANC cell in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal. Phewa was abducted, tortured and disappeared in 1987.
"Chairperson, the allegations that I know about the disappearance of Sbho Phewa are untrue and deeply hurtful," Cele stated in response to the allegations raised by the Phewa family that he knows more about the disappearance of their loved one. It is believed that Phewa was abducted by the Security Branch and was never seen again.
