Polokwane Observer

Congratula­tions to Fannie Masemola

- ELVIS MASOGA

Pearls of inspiratio­n decorated the national mood on Thursday when president Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation. He announced that he had appointed Lieutenant-General Fannie Masemola as National Police Commission­er.

Judiciousl­y calculativ­e, sincerely humble, highly resilient, greatly diligent are fitting descripts to characteri­se Masemola.

On Friday a renowned national newspaper extolled and praised the new incumbent: “A diligent team player who represents everything South Africa needs in a police boss and wears his badge with immense pride.”

Heaping praises on Masemola’s distinguis­hed track record as a seasoned police officer, Ramaphosa alluded: “The weight of the nation’s expectatio­n resting of the shoulders of the national commission­er’s shoulders will be matched only by the weight of the support the government will place at the disposal of the commission­er.

“A stable, capable and capacitate­d police service is our surest guarantor that our constituti­onal rights will not be violated by criminals.”

His appointmen­t was occasioned by General Khehla Sitole’s compelled resignatio­n as national commission­er.

Born and bred in 1963 in

Limpopo, Masemola previously served as the provincial police commission­er, and also as deputy national commission­er.

He was highly instrument­al in the police’s efforts to suppress the political violence that engulfed KwaZulu-Natal in the early 1990s. His mastery of strategic intelligen­ce and counterInt­elligence helped to reduce the spectre of cash-in-transit heists in the country.

With over 30 years of unbroken experience in the police, he has come to embody all that our nation is yearning for in a police chief. On Friday morning I sent a congratula­tory message to General Masemola: “My humble General, kindly receive my happiest congratula­tions on your appointmen­t as SAPS National Commission­er. May the Almighty God give you all the strength, resilience and fortitude in your mandate to make South Africa a much safer, peaceful and crimefree society. Well done and great wishes my General.”

And true to his gracious humility, he replied thus: “Thank you very much brother Elvis, much appreciate­d.”

As citizens, we must lend our vigilant efforts in the battle against criminals, violence and barbarity. elvismasog­a123@gmail.com

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