ANC national executive committee member Bheki Cele has accused his own party of unintentionally endorsing attacks on the police by criminals and communities with its anti-racism, anti-police brutality campaign.

Cele, who is also the police minister, delivered a public lecture on Thursday on behalf of the eThekwini region on the role of ANC members in the fight to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

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The minister said he was not happy to hear the ANC "shout police brutality", without inviting the policing sector to have a say.

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"It was inappropriate to open alcohol now, I didn't know there were leakers in Cabinet who went out, and said so and so said this in the meeting, and so and so said that… but we should have delayed it and allowed Covid-19 people their space and for people that are sick to get their space," said Cele, referring to media leaks on the Cabinet meeting.

Cele also mentioned Finance Minister Tito Mboweni, who had told Parliament he disagreed with the ban on liquor, and questioned his concerns over the R1 billion of lost revenue, when it could cost the country up to R38 billion in health costs, due to treating traumas linked to alcohol.