Police say media reports suggesting that Captain Paul Ramaloko of the South African Police Service (SAPS) has been suspended from duty are completely incorrect and misleading.

“Captain Ramaloko has been a communication official within the SAPS for years.  He was, at a stage, based at the SAPS Pretoria Area communication offices and at the National Media Centre.

“When the former Colonel McIntosh Polela departed from his post as spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as the Hawks), Captain Ramaloko – who was then based at the National Media Centre with Polela – was tasked to perform those duties in an acting capacity,” said spokesperson Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale on Friday.

A decision has been taken that Ramaloko should resume his duties at the National Media Centre and Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi will take over as the acting spokesperson of the Hawks.

“Mulaudzi is an experienced and committed communicator in the SAPS and has served as a senior communicator with distinction.  He was recently presented with an award for being the best government communication official in Limpopo.

“We believe that he will lift the standard of media liaison and communication within the Hawks,” said Makgale.

Ramaloko is still on active duty and he will continue to contribute meaningfully to the SAPS Corporate Communication Division.