Mbalula flouts his own regulations

At first glance, it seems like a good idea that Police Minister Fikile Mbalula has introduced new and improved employment regulations for the police. Anything which helps make structure, discipline and accountability stronger in the crime-fighting service is to be welcomed.

Yet, unions claim that not only are the new regulations confusing and open to conflicting interpretations, Mbalula has already flouted them by allowing the appointment of two new deputy commissioners.

In December, Lieutenant-General Lebeoana Tsumane was appointed deputy national commissioner of crime detection and Major-General Ntombenhle Vuma was promoted to deputy national commissioner of management advisory services, with the rank of lieutenant-general.

Both appointments were actioned by the national commissioner, General Khehla Sitole. But neither of the posts was advertised, as they should have been according to the new regulations, which were gazetted in October.

Unionists also claim the new regulations violate the spirit of the National Development Plan, which stipulates that appointments for the posts of commissioner and deputies should be made by the president after recommendations from a selection panel. This is to ensure there is public confidence in the appointments.

So, what Mbalula has achieved is to lessen, rather than increase, public confidence in the police.