High hopes for country’s ‘strong, level-headed’ new top cop
The Institute for Security Studies says it has confidence in the abilities of new national police commissioner Fannie Masemola.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the name of the country’s new top cop on Thursday.
He was chosen from group of 24 candidates to replace Khehla Sitole, who served his last day in office on the same day.
The institute's Johan Burger says Masemola is level-headed and has the right balance of experience.
"Masemola has a much stronger personality, he's more dynamic than Khehla Sithole and that in itself will serve him well in his relationship with the minister.
Former commissioner Sitole came under criticism from various corners, including Police Minister Bheki Cele, who accused him of refusing to cooperate at times.
This led to a lack of intervention during the July unrest in Gauteng and KZN.
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Burger says these events are likely to have cost Sitole his career.
"One of the best examples was the national commissioner saying to the panel in KZN when they asked why he didn't come to KZN, when the riot was at its height and the police were in disarray in the province."
"His response was that he was better placed in his office, so clearly not an operationally-inclined person and I think that frustrated the minister.”
