"I do remember ordering the police to use deadly force when under attack," he said in court on Friday, according to the Sowetan.
He is suing The Sowetan for defamation.
The case continues on today.
Cele said he did not take issue with cartoon depictions of himself carrying firearms, but was concerned about a photograph the newspaper digitally manipulated to appear as if he was holding a firearm.
"If it were an exact picture I would not have complained," Cele said.
The newspaper's articles about him were also unbalanced, he said.
He claimed the image, which was published on July 7 and July 18, 2007, "damages my campaign".
Cele said if the newspaper had told him it had been manipulated, he would have been satisfied with an apology. He voiced concerns that the picture could be used by cyber criminals.
"It means somebody might take my head and put it on a crime scene."
