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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Nocks Seabi, has on behalf of the committee wished the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, well on his retirement and thanked him for his dedicated service to the people of Gauteng and the country at large.
 
“We have been made aware that today marks the last day of General Mawela as he goes on retirement. The committee, in discharging its mandate, had various interactions with General Mawela and always felt his dedication and leadership in the fight against crime. Despite various challenges within the broader South African Police Service (SAPS) family, we always had confidence that he was a capable leader that assisted the organisation to navigate the challenges. He has left an indelible mark on the SAPS efforts to fight crime in the country,” Mr Seabi said.
 
The Chairperson emphasised that General Mawela’s dedication to crime-fighting is demonstrated by the 39 years of unbroken service, when many police officers are leaving the service for lucrative opportunities somewhere else. “His unwavering commitment and hands-on leadership were in the forefront as witnessed during various operations including Operation Shanela and Operation O Kae Molao,” Mr Seabi emphasised.
 
The Chairperson also encouraged new recruits into SAPS to emulate the exemplary leadership displayed by General Mawela.  As this chapter closes, the committee hopes the SAPS leadership will earnestly initiate processes to recruit a well-versed leader to continue steering the ship in Gauteng.
 
“The SAPS senior management must move with speed to fill the huge gap that will be left by General Mawela. We need more people with the qualities exhibited by General Mawela in the police service if the country is to succeed in the fight against crime,” Mr Seabi concluded.          

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police,  Nocks Seabi