Barry Bateman 

PRETORIA – The Presidency expressed concern on Friday at what appears to be a leak of the report on Bheki Cele.

It said the leak may force some people to act outside of the law.

According to reports in the Witness newspaper on Thursday, Judge Jakes Moloi has recommended the firing of suspended National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele.

Moloi led a commission of inquiry that was setup up by President Jacob Zuma in November 2011 to probe allegations of misconduct against Cele, and establish whether he is fit to hold office.

The retired judge handed his report to Zuma on Sunday.

According to the reports, Moloi found that Cele was unfit to hold office.

The 113 page document reportedly stated that Cele lacked the capacity to execute his official duties efficiently.

The board is believed to have found grave misconduct as well as unlawful conduct, proving he is unfit to hold office.

It is understood Moloi found that the evidence suggested there was a questionable relationship between Cele and businessman Roux Shabangu.

The presidency’s Mac Maharaj dismissed the reports as speculation, saying Zuma was still studying the document.

President Jacob Zuma’s office on Monday confirmed that it had received the report from the board of inquiry.

Allegations of misconduct arose when two leases for new police headquarters in Pretoria and Durban were declared unlawful by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.

The deals were worth a combined total of R1,6 billion and were to be leased from controversial businessman Roux Shabangu.

The board sat for several weeks earlier this year and explored allegations of maladministration against Cele after hearing submissions as well as evidence during the public hearings in Pretoria.

Moloi was assisted by advocates Terry Motau and Anthea Platt during the inquiry.

The evidence leader called for the general to be suspended, while his defence maintained there was never any wrongdoing on his part.

The report is expected to be handed to Cele, Parliament, the National Council of Provinces as well as the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Safety and Security.

(Edited by Clare Matthes)