MZANSI has new a national commissioner of police.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday, 31 March, that General Sehlahle Masemola will replace outgoing commissioner General Khehla Sitole.
Ramaphosa said the 58-year-old, who is a career cop and has been a deputy police commissioner, was fit and proper” for the job.
“General Masemola has an outstanding record of achievements in policing across South Africa.
“This includes helping with the de-escalation of violence in KwaZulu-Natal after our first democratic elections in 1994.”
He called on Mzansi to offer its support to the new national commissioner as he assumes his duties, because working together is the only way to eradicate crime.
He said that the weight of the nation’s expectations was resting on Masemola shoulders, but he was confident he was more than up to the task.
“Commissioner, be assured of our full support and backing as Cabinet and as government. I want to call on the leadership as well as the rank and file of the South African Police Service to pledge their support to you as well,” said the president.
“A stable, capable and capacitated South African Police Service is our surest guarantee that our constitutional rights will not be violated by criminals.”
Sitole’s contract was terminated after a scathing court judgment.
It was found he and his two deputies, General Francinah Vuma and General Lebeoana Tsumane, had placed the interests of the governing ANC ahead of those of the country.
