Announcement by South African President Jacob Zuma of new National Police Commissioner, Pretoria, July 29 2009

The Deputy President of the Republic, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe,
The Minister of Police, Mr Nathi Mthethwa,
Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Fikile Mbalula,
Acting National Commissioner Mr Tim Williams and all senior management including Provincial Commissioners,
Mr Bheki Cele,
Ladies and gentlemen of the media,

In the State of the Nation Address, we said that Government would intensify the fight against crime and corruption in order to ensure safer and more secure communities.
We pledged that over the next five years, the criminal justice system would be overhauled and that crime levels would be reduced. The filling of key positions within the South African Police Service is a key factor towards the achievement of this goal.

It is therefore our pleasure to announce the appointment of the new National Police Commissioner, Mr Bheki Hamilton Cele, currently serving as the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison in KwaZulu-Natal.

He will take up his duties on the 2nd of August 2009. Mr Cele has worked in this field since 1994.

He was elected as a Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature in 1994, and served as the chairperson of the Safety and Security Portfolio Committee in the provincial legislature. He was later appointed as Chairperson of Chairpersons in the Legislature, a task he executed with great diligence and competence.

Since his appointment as the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Cele has distinguished himself in a number of areas. These include finding solutions to the taxi conflicts in the province, leading successful anti-crime campaigns, as well as promoting road safety on provincial roads and highways.

He has also championed rural development, through prioritising road infrastructure development to previously neglected communities.

We have no doubt that Mr Cele will lead the SAPS efficiently and effectively. He takes over the leadership of SAPS just as government forges ahead to improve its capacity to fight crime.

In the next three years the number of police personnel will be significantly increased from at least 180 000 to more than 200 000, with more focus being given to increased visibility and enhancing crime detection.

Over the next year the number of detectives will increase by 19%, and a programme is already underway to train more than 12 000 police personnel in detective related matters.

As part of the strategy to address organised crime and corruption, the Hawks unit was launched on 6 July 2009. The impact of the Hawks is already being felt.

Among the areas of immediate focus are the cash in transit heists.

While the financial losses may have declined, the threat posed to the public, where heavily armed criminals conduct heists in public spaces, requires an energetic intervention.

The development and implementation of legislation aimed at reducing vulnerabilities within the Cash in Transit industry is being worked on.

A Cash Risk Management forum has been set up under the chairpersonship of the South African Reserve Bank. The Ministry of Police will work closely with this forum.

The success of government's approach to the fight against crime is heavily dependent on establishing partnerships with communities.

The Ministry of Police is in the process of establishing a dedicated unit, which will focus on deepening our interaction with communities, institutions such as Business Against Crime, labour, youth, women, traditional leaders, and faith-based organisations.
We urge citizens and all sectors to work with the government to strengthen the partnership against crime.

In this regard, we urge the public and the business community to work with us to close markets for stolen goods as this fuels crime. To further strengthen this effort the Second Hand Goods Act was promulgated in April 2009.

We must emphasise that we value our police officials. They are our buffer against crime. We would like to warn criminals who take chances and attack police officials that they are hitting at the heart of the State and we will respond vigorously.

Meanwhile, we have noted the strikes and protests in the country currently. We reiterate that South Africans have a right to freedom of expression. We respect and will protect that right as a developmental and progressive State. However, there can be no justification for public violence and the destruction of property.

We take this opportunity to thank the Acting Commissioner, Mr Tim Williams who has led the SAPS over the past year.

We also acknowledge the contribution of the former National Commissioner, Mr Jackie Selebi, to the fight against crime. His service to our country is well appreciated.
We wish the new Commissioner and his team all the best in their work. They have our full support.

Working together we will do more to fight crime decisively.

I thank you.

Issued by The Presidency, July 29 2009

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