Speaking notes for Minister of Police Bheki Cele on the announcement of Gauteng Provincial Commissioner
The Premier of Gauteng: Mr David Makhura,
The MEC for Community Safety and Liaison: Ms Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane,
The National Commissioner of Police: General Khehla Sitole,
The South African Police Service management,
The newly appointed Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng
Members of the media
Ladies and Gentleman
It gives me great pleasure indeed to be announcing the appointment of the new Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Gauteng.
You may recall that at the end of October 2018 the previous Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Dalene De Lange retired leaving this post vacant until today.
Gauteng Province has and will always continue to be one of our priorities in crime fighting and to reduce crime in the Republic of South Africa.
Hence this province in particular could not be allowed to stay long without a permanent Provincial Commissioner.
I would also like to thank the Premier and the MEC of the Gauteng as well as the South African Police Service management for their cooperation during the process of appointing the leadership of the province and reorganization of the provincial management, to which I will afford the National Commissioner an opportunity to announce in a short while.
The person charged with the responsibility of heading Gauteng is not new in the environment of policing, he has been with this organisation since his enlistment in 1984 and has grown both in experience and knowledge. After his training he has obtained a National Diploma in Policing and a Bachelors Degree in Administration.
Occupying senior management positions since 2004 at national level, as well as serving as a joint Chairperson of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) the operational arm of the Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster.
The newly appointed provincial commissioner of Gauteng has been serving as a divisional commissioner of Operational Response Services (ORS) since 2011, a position he has held with distinction.
The officer tasked with the responsibility of making South Africans feel safe in particular the citizens of Gauteng is Lieutenant General Elias Mawela.
As the Ministry of Police and the management of the South African Police Service we have full confidence in the newly appointed Provincial Commissioner and we call upon all structures in the criminal justice cluster to work together with the police in the fight against crime, and creating a safe and secure environment for all. As well as to ensure a better and easy life for the people of Gauteng. Working together we can and surely turn the tide on Gauteng.
In conclusion I would be failing in my duty if I did not thank both General De Lange as well as Major General Masha, the outgoing Acting Provincial Commissioner. I wish General De Lange well on her retirement and General Masha in all his future endeavours. They have shown commitment, dedication and last but not least loyalty to the SAPS and the nation.
With the Easter season upon us we are confident that South Africans and visitors alike will enjoy a peaceful break.
In two months from now South Africans will have yet another opportunity to exercise their democratic right to cast their votes. As the South African Police Service we are more than committed to ensuring the safety of all voters and the voting stations.
I thank you.
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