Top cop shares vision
POLICE Minister Fikile Mbalula proudly introduced new national commissioner Lieutenant-General Khehla Sitole to the SAPS yesterday, saying they are ready to smoke out criminals together.
Mbalula, who was at the Tshwane Police Academy, said he could finally say he did not have a good working relationship with Lieutenant-General Lesetja Mothiba, who was acting police commissioner before President Jacob Zuma appointed Sitole on Wednesday.
Sitole, 53, comes in as a career police officer with more than 20 years of experience, and the relevant experience after serving as deputy national police commissioner under Riah Phiyega, who was dismissed.
Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane was acting commissioner before he was suspended in June, when the Independent Police Investigative Directorate investigated him for alleged corruption.
Mbalula said: “General Khehla Sitole is a seasoned member of the service who grew through the ranks. He served and obtained practical exposure at all levels of the organisation from police station to province and national office.
“General Sitole possesses strategic policy framework understanding of the service, and has fresh ideas in this regard. He has, in the past, been involved in the development of numerous policies, legislation and strategies which link the police service to the broader framework of government, the international community and our diverse nation.”
Sitole said the SAPS vision was to provide a safe and secure environment for all.
“The SAPS is there to protect all the outcomes outlined in the National Development Plan. Crime has manifested itself in such a manner that it has started to dispel investment.
“There are few areas in the country which criminals are beginning to declare as no-go areas, and in those areas communities have developed tendencies of protecting criminals by attacking the police. We are going to reclaim all those areas and stamp the authority of the state,” he said.
Sitole said his alliance was to the constitution and he aimed to protect the integrity of the police at all costs.
“On the issue of political interference, let me first explain that it is my responsibility to orientate the minister on all operational policies that govern the policing processes in this country.
‘‘I want everyone to understand that the role of the minister is policy and strategic direction, and mine as commander of the police is execution.
“These are two roles that have no confusion, but further to that, I will not be able to fully implement policing in this country without his support.”
Sitole said he and Mbalula shared a vision to enhance policing in South Africa, and he could not foresee himself protecting that vision against the ministers, although he would always prioritise the police’s integrity.
President Jacob Zuma will preside over a sword handover ceremony on Monday to mark the installation of Sitole as the national police commissioner.