Professional policing only solution, DA tells top cop

THE DA says newly appointed Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has a difficult task ahead of him in ensuring Gauteng becomes a safe province.

Gauteng DA leader John Moodey said on his first day in the job, Mawela made several promises including, reducing the high level of contact crime in the province, becoming a servant of the people, and to work with communities in fighting crime.

“The DA is concerned about whether Lieutenant General

Mawela will be able to achieve his objectives unless he addresses the need to professionalise the police service, rooting out corruption and improving the response of the Saps to the needs of the people,” said Moodey, adding Premier David Makhura had also stated during the announcement of the new commissioner that in the next three months he wants the top 20 “most wanted” criminals behind bars.

According to the opposition party, previously, Makhura made an announcement two years ago that there would be a 50% reduction of crime in the province, saying this has not yet been achieved and communities remained unsafe.

“The DA believes that the only solution to combating crime in Gauteng is by professionalising the police service. This can only be done through equipping our police stations with adequate resources and equipment, providing training to the police and adequate staffing,” Moodey said.

He said the DA would hold Mawela accountable to the people of Gauteng. |

Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela