Five names in Ramaphosa’s hands for police commissioner – who are they?

President Cyril Ramaphosa is under pressure to appoint a new police commissioner. This was after Khela Sitole’s contract was terminated in February. It’s been reported that Ramaphosa has five names that he is considering for the post.

There are calls for separation of duties between the office of the national police commissioner and the minister of police. Sitole’s last day as national police commissioner is on Thursday, 30 March.

Who are the five people?

Reports by EWN revealed that the list of names includes:

• Gauteng top cop Elias Mawela
• National Commissioner for Policing Fannie Masemola
• KZN Police Commissioner Lucky Mkhwanazi
• Retired cop Gary Kruser and;
• Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection Liziwe Ntshinga.

Out of the five names, Lucky Mkhwanazi is the only person under the age of 50. This may come as a shock for many as the retirement age for officers in SA is 60 years old. 

Expert believes the names are being considered for an acting position

Gareth Newham, Head of Justice and Violence Prevention at the Institute for Security Studies spoke about the list. According to Newham, the names are likely to be for the position of acting national police commissioner. 

Of all these names, Mkhwanazi is the only cop under the age of 50. The retirement age for officers is 60.

Head of justice and violence prevention at the Institute for Security Studies, Gareth Newham, said these names are likely to be for the position of acting commissioner. Newham believes that Ramaphosa is intending to follow the process he did for the hiring of the National Director of Public Prosecutions.

“The president wants to follow the same kind of process he used to appoint the national NDPP, which means there’d be a competitive process run by a panel.”

Gareth Newham, Head of Justice and Violence Prevention at the Institute for Security Studies

He explained that there needs to be transparent legislative changes. If not, political interference in the work of the commissioner could be a possibility.

Ramaphosa plans “strategic hiring process” for new police commissioner

President Ramaphosa addressed his responsibility and stated that the appropriate candidate will be chosen on a competitive basis.

The person inherently responsible for the South  African Police Service, once they take up the position as national police commissioner, will be chosen based on a strategic hiring process. 

The President’s decision to follow a strategic hiring process seemingly contradicts his authority to appoint whomever he chooses. Read the full story here.