"The DA is of the view that the evidence gathered and investigations conducted by both the Moloi Police Board of Inquiry and the Public Protector is sufficient for instituting criminal charges against Bheki Cele," said DA spokeswoman Dianne Kohler Barnard in a statement.

Cele must answer the findings of the inquiry and the Public Protector in court, she said.

The Moloi inquiry reportedly found Cele guilty of gross misconduct regarding the procurement of office buildings in Pretoria and Durban.

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela had found Cele's conduct in this deal to be improper, unlawful, and amounting to maladministration.

"Anything less than a criminal investigation into the Bheki Cele saga will draw into question government's commitment to fighting crime and corruption and reveal different standards for ANC cronies," she said.

According to the Sunday Tribune, it was unlikely that Cele would face criminal charges.

Presidential spokesman Mac Maharj told the publication that the Presidency could not interfere in internal matters of the police force.

Cele's replacement, Mangwashi Riah Phiyega, said she had not seen the report but that internal processes were underway.

But the Tribune quoted the police head of legal services Lt-Gen JT Molefe as saying that his department had "no instruction" to investigate Cele.