Executive Council meets new Provincial Police Commissioner
The Free State Executive Council (EXCO), led by the Premier of the Free State, Sisi Ntombela, officially met with the recently appointed Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Baile Motswenyane, during a Special EXCO sitting, in Bloemfontein, on 15 January 2020.
Lieutenant-General Motswenyane, who takes the reigns from Lieutenant-General Moeketsi Sempe as the new Provincial Police Commissioner, brings with her a wealth of experience, with over 19 years in the South African Police Service (SAPS), and having previously held a similar post in the North West Province since 2016. Lieutenant-General Motswenyane affirms to build on the solid foundation laid by her predecessor which has seen murder declining by 5.1 %, from 1 054 in the 2017/18 financial year to 1 000 in the 2018/19 financial year.
Lieutenant-General Motswenyane arrives during a time when the province, as per the crime statistics released in September 2019, was able to reduce 8 crimes out of 17. The crimes being: murder, common robbery, arson, malicious damage to property, burglary at residential premises, theft of motor vehicles and shoplifting.
Premier Ntombela, chairing the EXCO sitting, emphasized her full confidence in Lieutenant-General Motswenyane and also sent a stern warning to criminals that the days of operating with impunity were well and truly over.
“On behalf of the Free State Provincial Government and indeed the people of the Free State Province, I would like to extend a hearty welcome to Lieutenant- General Motswenyane. Indeed, hers is a massive responsibility, but I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that she will do it well. She is well experienced in police matters and I consider our province privileged to have a woman of her calibre leading the police force,” said Premier Ntombela.
Premier Ntombela also implored on the Police Commissioner to deal harshly with what she described as ‘cowards’ who violate women and children.
“I am certain that Lieutenant General Motswenyane is just as concerned about the abuse of women and children as we all are and I am pleading with her to do everything in her powers to protect them,” said Premier Ntombela.
Lieutenant-General Motswenyane said that while she realises that she is faced with an enormous task, she was prepared to work hard to bring down the levels of all forms of crime in the province, and that she will be available to assist government in all programmes and ensure that the SAPS works closely with government to curb prevalent social ills.
While Lieutenant-General Motswenyane will soon be traversing the province to engage stakeholders and various communities, sharing her vision and sourcing views, she will soon meet the EXCO again to formally introduce the new recruits of the SAPS. “We wish Lieutenant-General Motswenyane all the best and, collectively, we reiterate that there is no space for all forms of crime in the Free State”, concluded Premier Ntombela.
Enquiries:
Setjhaba Maphalla
Tel: 051 403 3928
Email: setjhaba.maphalla@fspremier.gov.za
Suzan Moeti
Email: suzan.moeti@fspremier.gov.za
