KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has confirmed he will continue leading the province’s police for another five years, saying he will focus on reducing crime, achieving a clean audit, and ensuring communities are satisfied with police services.
Mkhwanazi said the decision was not easy, as he had initially planned to serve only one term and take a holiday from 1 April.
“Thank you National Commissioner for the trust. It was not an easy decision for me because I had agreed with my family that I will only serve one term.
”The plan was to go on a holiday from 1 April but when the National Commissioner emphasised the importance of service to the people of South Africa, especially residents of KwaZulu-Natal, I reconsidered and made myself available to be of service to the nation,” he said.
He called on colleagues for full cooperation in the next five years. “To my fellow colleagues, I am expecting nothing less than full cooperation and support.
”The goals remain the same; to reduce crime, to attain a Clean Audit and ensure that our clients are satisfied with our service to them,” Mkhwanazi added.
The National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, formally announced Mkhwanazi’s extension during a meeting with KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Management.
Masemola said the uncertainty around leadership was over and called on officers to support the commissioner by taking orders and performing their duties.
He also stressed the importance of community involvement in policing. “Do not police communities in their absentia. Involve them in your plans, give them roles to play so that they may take accountability of crime in their neighbourhood.
”The community must feel you, both criminals and law-abiding citizens. Now that the uncertainty is gone, the focus must solely be on reducing crime and keeping our communities safe,” Masemola said.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
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