David Makhura: New top cop to restore confidence in SAPS
Gauteng Premier David Makhura has welcomed the appointment of provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Deliwe Suzan de Lange.
He said the new commissioner’s first task should be the restoration of the public’s confidence in the police’ capability to fight crime.
De Lange’s appointment was announced on Wednesday.
“The Premier said that the appointment is welcomed as it addresses the concerns he raised during the State of the Province address about instability in the leadership of the police brought by the lack of a permanent appointment in this position,” Makhura’s spokeswoman Phumla Sekhonyane said on Thursday.
“The Premier added that the most urgent task for the commissioner would be to improve police visibility to restore the people’s confidence in the police’s capability to fight crime.”
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De Lange replaced Lt-Gen Lesetja Joel Mothiba, who was appointed in 2014, and was moved in January this year to lead the management intervention unit. Major General Eric Nkuna was appointed acting commissioner after Mothiba’s departure.
De Lange received training as police officer in 1983 aged 22.
She rose through the ranks and held various positions within the police service, including cluster commander of Sebokeng, south of Johannesburg, for six years. She was also the station commander at Tsakane and Kempton Park police stations.
De Lange was deputy commissioner for human resource management in Gauteng at the time of her appointment to head the SAPS in the province.