President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Sehlahle Fannie Masemola as South Africa’s new police chief, replacing Khehla Sitole who left the position on Thursday.
In a televised address on Thursday, Ramaphosa said he believed Masemola was a “fit and proper” person for the role.
Masemola has been a deputy police commissioner with an outstanding record of achievements in policing across South Africa, he said.
“This includes helping with the de-escalation of violence in KwaZulu-Natal after our first democratic elections in 1994,” Ramaphosa said.
The incoming commissioner also played a leading role in coordinating security for all elections since 1994 and all major events hosted by the country.
Ramaphosa said the weight of the nation’s expectation resting on the incoming commissioner’s shoulders “would only be matched by the amount of the support government would place at his disposal.”
His predecessor had complained about lack of support from Police Minister Bheki Cele, describing his relationship with his boss as “professionally average”.
JN/APA