By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has axed National Police Commissioner Khehla Sitole.
The commissioner’s last day at the SAPS will be 31 March.
In a statement on Friday, the Presidency said Sitole, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, and Ramaphosa have agreed that the early termination of the Commissioner’s contract is “in the best interests of the country.”
“I am grateful to General Sitole for the constructive discussions we have had over the termination of his position as National Commissioner.
“I wish to convey my appreciation to General Sitole for his service to the nation over many years in the SAPS. I wish him the best in his future endeavours,” Ramaphosa said.
Statement on departure of SAPS National Commissioner
President @CyrilRamaphosa has, by mutual agreement, terminated the employment contract of the South African Police Service National Commissioner, Gen. Khehla Sitole, with effect from 31 March 2022. https://t.co/qoyzTgRZ5W
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) February 25, 2022
Sitole’s woes began when the North Gauteng High Court found in January that he and his two deputies, lieutenant-generals Francinah Vuma and Lebeona Tshumane, were in breach of their duties for not providing and declassifying documents for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) to investigate allegations of fraud and corruption.
The basis of the court matter stems from an alleged attempt by Sitole and his officials to procure a “grabber” – an electronic device with the capability to intercept phone calls and cellphone messages – for R45 million (despite these retailing at between R7m and R10m) before the ANC’s 54th national conference in Nasrec, allegedly with the idea of influencing voting for the governing party’s top leadership positions.
Ramaphosa has since deemed it appropriate to institute a board of inquiry into Sitole’s alleged misconduct and fitness to hold the office of national commissioner of police.
The president was also given a report by an expert panel on the unrest, which resulted in the economy suffering financial damages of about R50 billion due to the looting.
In his SONA, the president said: “We will, as recommended by the panel, develop and drive a national response plan to address the weaknesses that the panel has identified.
“We will begin immediately by filling critical vacancies and addressing positions affected by suspensions in the State Security Agency and Crime Intelligence.”
Meanwhile the Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the decision by Ramaphosa to terminate the employment of National Police Commissioner, General Sitole.
In a statement, the official opposition party said clearly it was time for Sitole to go, however, the details of this dismissal is scant and the public deserves to know whether a golden handshake was given.
While the Sitole’s removal is welcomed, Police Minister Bheki Cele must follow suit if the President is serious about starting the hard work of rebuilding trust and credibility in the SAPS, added DA.
The tit-for-tat political spat between General Sithole and Minister Cele has rendered the SAPS ungovernable. A complete overhaul at the very top is necessary to undo the damage caused by both men, concluded the DA.