'Our political leadership has reached a point of no return': Mashaba slams Cele and Masemola

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has slammed police minister Bheki Cele and police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola after the patching of potholes as they visited the home of murdered ANC councillor Sbonelo Mthembu.

A gravel road had to be patched up for Cele and Masemola during their visit to Mkhondo, Mpumalanga.

In videos shared by eNCA journalist Siphamandla Goge, a construction truck was deployed to fix the gravel road before the minister and his entourage made their way.

#Cele After waiting for a gravel road to be fixed for them, Minister of Police Bheki Cele, his deputy Cassel Mathale, NC Gen Fannie Masemola & Mpu Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, finally make their way to the family of a murdered ANC member in Mkhondo. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/unw3HAyltV
— Siphamandla Goge (@SiphamandlaGoge) January 16, 2023

#Cele Police Minister Bheki Cele, DM Cassel Mathale, NC Gen Fannie Masemola, Mpu Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane & ANC Mpu PS Muzi Chirwa's motorcade waited for a gravel road to be fixed in Mkhondo, so they can pass. They are visiting families of three murdered ANC members. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/feGYP5kCMO
— Siphamandla Goge (@SiphamandlaGoge) January 16, 2023

Mashaba said political leadership had reached a point of no return and they had no shame.

“Our political leadership has certainly reached a point of no return — no shame whatsoever. Fixing roads only for them in their luxury cars to reach the home of a murdered ANC councillor in Mpumalanga,” he said.

Scores online echoed Mashaba's comment, saying Cele should be “ashamed, embarrassed and just plain out horrified” that he can't drive on those roads but expects members of those communities to drive on them every day.

After this meeting, he should call his roads and transport colleague and tell him to fix the road. It is wrong that communities only receives service delivery when Gov Leaders visit. He should raise this in the next cabinet meeting, President @CyrilRamaphosa must know about this.
— Thubisi 🦉 🇿🇦 (@MrOdiLos) January 16, 2023

What an obscene travesty! Firstly, the large number of vehicles in the convoy, carrying the large number of bodyguards for the minister of police. What irony visiting the family of a victim of crime! Secondly, making a road for this minister to get there! Shameless!
— Theo Nel :The One L (@TheOneEL) January 16, 2023

This is unacceptable, why the road is fixed for them and not for the citizens who permanently reside there
— Mpho Lephondo (@Lephondo2Mpho) January 16, 2023

This goes to show that fixing of roads and other service deliveries can be easily done in this country. It's just that there is no will by the counselors, by the MECs and by ministers of the ruling parry. They should be really ashamed.
— Doctor Ngwane (@drngwane) January 17, 2023

It is so sad that a road has to be fixed for a particular event whereas it should be a regular thing and roads need to be always user friendly. Good thing for exposing such.
— Phetole Mokhobi (@phetomokhobi) January 16, 2023

Mthembu was shot dead with two other men on Friday at his home. Mpumalanga police arrested two suspects who could be connected to the murder.

Cele, while visiting the families of the deceased, vowed a task team would be established to deal with political killings in the province.

“We have met the management of the police here and we have identified gaps. Maybe the approaches we have used where there are political killings, like KZN, is the same approach we need to use. We need a multidisciplinary approach. It will not take long to resolve the cases,” Cele said.

“We are not going to do things the way that we are going to regret. Arrests should not be for withdrawal or acquittal. The investigating team should do thorough work which will give positive results.”

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