Mixed reaction to new police chief
DA questions process to hire Sitole
The DA does not believe the new National Police Commissioner is the “best candidate”‚ but hopes his appointment will bring stability to the police.
President Jacob Zuma announced the appointment of General Khehla John Sitole yesterday.
“We are concerned that he is not the best candidate to ‘firewall’ SAPS from political interference an d if the president says ‘jump’‚ he will say ‘how high?’‚” DA spokesman on police matters Zakhele Mbhele said.
Zuma said: “His [Sitole’s] extensive experience in the police service will assist him to execute this critical task of making South Africans and everyone in the country safer and to feel safer.
“We wish General Sitole all of the best as he assumes his new position at the helm of a very important institution in government and the country.”
Zuma thanked LieutenantGeneral Lesetja Mothiba who has been serving as acting national commissioner in the interim.
Mbhele said Zuma “sprung this decision on us” instead of following the appointment process in line with the recommendations of the National Development Plan.
The DA said they would submit parliamentary questions to Zuma to discover who the other shortlisted candidates and their qualifications were.
“While we acknowledge that General Sitole is an improvement from his predecessor‚ because he is an experienced and senior career officer‚ we are not convinced that he has the backbone to resist political pressure on the SAPS because it was during his tenure as Divisional Commissioner of Protection and Security Services that the former AU chairperson‚ Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma‚ was granted use of the Presidential Protection Service without merit or grounds.”
Sitole’s appointment was welcomed by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).
Ipid head Robert McBride said: “We have worked with General Sitole in the past and we look forward to working with him in fighting corruption within police ranks. The appointment of General Sitole
‘ ‘ We don’t trust he can resist political pressure
will go a long way in bringing stability to the SAPS and enhance focus in the fight against crime.”
Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union spokesman Richard Mamabolo said they would only comment today.