W Cape’s top cop vows to tackle gangs

Newly appointed Western Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Yolisa Matakata yesterday stressed the importance of working with Premier Alan Winde and community safety MEC Albert Fritz to tackle crime in the province.

Winde and Fritz gave Matakata a warm welcome after she was introduced by Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale and national commissioner General Khehla Sitole in Cape Town.

“I am honoured and humbled by the appointment by the minister of police and national commissioner. They have decided to have confidence in me to lead the province,” she said.

“I met with the provincial leadership this morning, but still want comprehensive input from their side so we own the vision.”

Normalising gang-infested areas once the army leaves and addressing the skewed distribution of police resources were two of the critical issues highlighted.

Winde pledged the provincial government’s support and said he wanted all political parties to be united in giving Matakata the support she needed to do her job.

“We look forward to signing the protocol agreement with Police Minister Bheki Cele that will lay the framework for how we cooperate on the implementation of the Western Cape Safety Plan,” said Winde.

Sitole said Matakata’s appointment in December was a process which had been amicably agreed on by the province, as well as the national office and police department.

“The situation in the Western Cape needed a relevant person at the right time ... it is the most complex province to lead and, therefore, she was brave,” he said.

Sitole said they had to “fire with all cylinders” and take a highly strategic approach to deal with the root causes of gangsterism.

This required the involvement of provinces and municipalities.

Matakata was acting Hawks head before Godfrey Lebeya was appointed to the position in 2018.

High on her list of priorities was building cohesion within the provincial police management team to ensure police were accountable and responsive to community needs.

She said there would be a special focus on normalising gang-infested areas once the SA National Defence Force had left.

– News24 Wire

The situation in the Western Cape needed a relevant person at the right time.

General Khehla Sitole National police commissioner