Cwele called to quit his position

By Ofentse Mokae
30 January 2010

Congress of the People has called on State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele quit his position.

This follows as COPE puts it, shocking revelations that Cwele’s wife was arrested on yesterday on drug related charges.

COPE’s Phillip Dexter says in a statement that what is even more disturbing is the possibility that Cheryl Cwele may have used her husband's position in the Cabinet to gather intelligence to cover up her wicked activities.

“The fact of the matter is that the security of the state has been compromised. Minister Cwele can surely no longer hold a position of such vital importance based on the charges pending against his wife,” Dexter says.

Dexter further went on to say it is unacceptable that this situation has occurred saying all Cabinet Ministers and their immediate family, including spouses, are subjected to high scrutiny.

“How is it possible that this could have slipped through the cracks? This clearly shows that, as with the activities of other senior ANC leaders, there has been a cover up, and that the security of the state has been severely compromised by criminal elements” adds Dexter.

COPE believes this does not bode well for the image of South Africa in the year of the 2010 World Cup, a target that would be the jewel in the crown of terrorist and criminal enterprises.

“Minister Cwele must disclose what he knew about his wife's criminal activities and resign. Failing which, the executive must to the honourable thing and fire him,” concluded Dexter.