Having been ranked 17th on the ANC's list for the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature in the 2019 general election,[1] Cele was elected to her seat as the ANC won 44 out of the 80 seats.[2] She was then appointed to serve on the Conservation and Environment, Public Works, Economic Development and Tourism, and Community Safety and Liaison committees.[3]
In November 2020, Cele was promoted to chairperson of the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Portfolio Committee after incumbent chairperson Ricardo Mthembu died from COVID-19 in July. Her appointment was welcomed by the Member of the Executive Council for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Sipho Hlomuka.[4] In her capacity as chairperson of the Cogta committee, Cele alleged in October 2022 that there was widespread corruption at the Endumeni Local Municipality.[5]
Cele was elected to a four-year term on the ANC Provincial Executive Committee at the party's provincial elective conference in July 2022.[6]