Lesetja Mothiba named as new acting top cop
President Jacob Zuma says Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane's acting tenure came to an end today.
CAPE TOWN - President Jacob Zuma has appointed Lieutenant-General Lesetja Mothiba as the Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), with immediate effect.
The Presidency says the acting tenure of Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane came to an end today, 1 June 2017.
BREAKING: President Zuma appoints Lt-Gen Lesetja Mothiba as new Acting SAPS Commissioner. Full statement: pic.twitter.com/cGU2M41aIQ
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) June 1, 2017
The president thanked Phahlane for the leadership of the police during his acting tenure.
"Lt-General Mothiba is currently the SAPS Divisional Head of the Management Intervention Unit."
Zuma congratulated the new acting commissioner and wished him success in his new responsibility.
Police Minister Fikile Mbalula held a briefing in Cape Town on the change of guard in the SAPS.
#Police Mbulula says Khomotso Phahlane is innocent until proven guilty. LD
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) June 1, 2017
Clarity: pic.twitter.com/48Ou1enr2h
— RSA Police Minister (@MbalulaFikile) June 1, 2017
Mbalula says a full-time commissioner will be appointed by August.
He also says Phahlane has now been suspended from his job as a forensic divisional commissioner.
“In our eyes Phahlane is presumed innocent until proven otherwise so he must stay at home. Those who are making claims about his incompetence have the right to bring their complaints to the court of law.”
He insists that Phahlane has not been convicted of any crime.
“Does it mean he’s no longer employed? No, we’re following the due process. The due process means that you’re suspended pending the outcome of the litigation that you’re faced with.”
