Photo: ER24 EMS/Flickr

On 17 May 2010 the SAPS demonstrated along with Emergency Services how efficient they will be during the 2010 World Cup. Thousands of spectators joined the parade through the streets of Sandton.

Reports that National Police Commissioner Mr Bheki Cele has been dismissed confirm my blunt warning to the President during last week's Presidency Budget Vote Debate, that the ANC's policy of cadre deployment is detrimental to our country.

Corruption has now ended the careers of two National Police Commissioners, and South Africa bears the cost in terms of our international image and our fight against crime.

I warned the President in the National Assembly last week that the position of National Police Commissioner must now be filled by a trained policeman, not a comrade of the ANC. For the sake of our nation, we call on the President not to repeat the same costly mistakes.

Earlier this year, during the State of the Nation Debate, I also warned the President that corruption poses a fundamental threat to our constitutional democracy.

Corruption saw the previous National Police Commissioner, Mr Jackie Selebi, sentenced to a lengthy jail term. Then an investigation into corruption saw National Police Commissioner Mr Bheki Cele suspended, and now reportedly dismissed.

Corruption has seen the axing of two Ministers, Mr Sicelo Shiceka and Ms Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde. The Speaker of the KwaZulu Natal Legislature, Ms Peggy Nkonyeni, and MEC Mr Mike Mabuyakhulu are facing corruption charges in court, while the Manase Report has exposed the full extent of corruption in the eThekwini Municipality.

President Zuma can no longer shy away from the issue of rampant and endemic corruption. Rhetoric, empty words and never-ending declarations of policy are not the solution. As a start, the President must refrain from appointing ANC loyalists to critical positions.