/ 8 September 2009

Court rejects Cele’s interdict bid against IFP

An application by police National Commissioner Bheki Cele seeking to interdict three Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leaders from making defamatory statements against him was rejected in the Durban High Court on Tuesday.

Cele approached the court in February following statements that he was seen pointing a firearm at IFP supporters during violent clashes between African National Congress supporters and the IFP.

This was during an electioneering rally in Nongoma in January.

The IFP also accused Cele of provoking police to shoot at IFP members.

”Justice has been served. Mr Bheki Cele did not succeed. The interdict was denied. We are delighted at the outcome.

”One can only hope that this will be a lesson learnt for Mr Cele as he goes about his job of Top Cop of South Africa,” said IFP provincial secretary Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi in a statement.

Cele, who was KwaZulu-Natal safety minister at the time of the alleged incident, said in court papers that when armed supporters blocked roads and threatened bus passengers who were ANC supporters, he kept the peace and spoke to opposition leaders.

Respondents in the application included IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi, party MP and spokesperson on security, Velaphi Ndlovu, and IFP national organiser Albert Mncwango. — Sapa