South African Police Service (SAPS) bids farewell to stalwart
21 Apr 2011
The National Commissioner, General Bheki Cele and the South African Police Service (SAPS) in its entirety has the unpleasant task of bidding farewell to one of its stalwarts, Lieutenant General Rayman Lalla.
General Lalla has served the SAPS and the people of South Africa diligently and with overwhelming determination for over one and a half decades. He first served as the head of internal security in KwaZulu-Natal followed by taking up an appointment as the Divisional Commissioner of Crime Intelligence and now as the Divisional Commissioner, Detective Services.
Over the past sixteen years, Lalla has earned the respect of everyone who has had the privilege of working with him, young and old, men and women, seniors, peers and juniors for his utmost respect for others, his leadership but - most importantly - for his everlasting beaming personality.
He has certainly left an indelible mark, in the intelligence and detective environments as well as the SAPS at large. "General Lalla approached me with the proposition of leaving us and I initially wanted to hear nothing about it," said General Cele. "After giving careful consideration to his request, I realised that his move to another government department will continue to be of benefit to the SAPS, government and our country as a whole," added Cele.
Cele, however reluctant he was, conceded to Lalla's request and wished him well in his new venture with Revenue Services come 1 May 2011.
Lalla too had come to this decision with mixed feelings. "In the course of my duties I have had an unprecedented opportunity to work with a vast range of good and hard working people within the SAPS and government institutions across the country as well as in the international arena. This experience will stand me in good stead in my new working environment," said an emotional Lalla.
Statement issued by Vishnu Naidoo, South African Police Service national media centre, April 21 2011
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