Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela is the new Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng.
Parliament’s Portfolio committee Chairperson Mr Francois Beukman wished Lieutenant General Mawela well on this important posting on behalf of the committee.
“Lieutenant-General Mawela is an experienced officer who is knowledgeable about operational response at national level. We trust that he will focus his efforts on dealing with violent and organised crime in Gauteng, as a matter of priority,” said Mr Beukman.
Mawela replaces Lt-Gen Deliwe de Lange, who left the police after 35 years in October 2018. Langa was believed to have been forced out of the service, a decision which was later withdrawn.
Police Minister Bheki Cele believes that Mawela’s experience will help reduce crime in Gauteng. “One of our priorities is to fight and reduce crime in the Republic of South Africa. The person charged with the responsibility of heading Gauteng is not new in the environment of policing. He has been with this organisation since it’s enlistment in 1984 and has grown both in experience and knowledge. After his basic training he obtained a national Diploma in policing and Bachelor of Degree in Administration, said Cele.