Mpembe vows to rid home province of crime

The Free State South African Police Service (SAPS) welcomed back one of its former constables back to the province as provincial commissioner on Monday after serving in a similar capacity in Limpopo.

This is after the police national commissioner, General Riah Phiyega, announced that former provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Khehla Sitole, has being redeployed to the national police headquarters as a deputy national commissioner.

Sitole’s vacant position was filled by Lieutenant General Thabethe Simon Mpembe, who returns to the province where he served as a police officer.

Mpembe was appointed as a constable in 1978 in the Free State and rose through the ranks until he was promoted to lieutenant-general in 2011 and appointed as the provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo.

During his time at the SAPS he was promoted to the rank of major-general in 2000. In 2009, he was appointed Gauteng deputy provincial commissioner responsible for policing, a position he held until his appointment as Limpopo police commissioner.

During a career spanning over 35 years, Mpembe was credited with defusing People Against Gangsterism And Drugs (PAGAD) unrests in the Western Cape during the 1990s.

He is a former station commander of police stations such as Johannesburg Central, Mfuleni, Kraaifontein and Nyanga. Mpembe was also both Gauteng and Western Cape’s former Operational Commander.

The Free State police spokeswoman, Thandi Mbambo said with such an impeccable policing background, the entire Free State workforce looks forward to rallying behind the new provincial commissioner.

Mbambo said despite his extensive experienced as a police officer, Mpembe also boasts relevant academic achievements such as a National Diploma in police administration and a Masters degree in public administration.

“On Wednesday last week, high ranking officials of the provincial SAPS management converged in the provincial office at Metpol Building in Mangaung to outline the current state of policing in the province and to highlight the areas prompting immediate attention.”

While handing over the baton, the outgoing Lieutenant-General Sitole said the foundation had been laid but an enormous task still lies ahead for the new commissioner.

During his brief speech, Mpembe said visibility of police in all identified crime hotspots must be intensified. He said he wants services improvement at all police stations and relationships with communities rejuvenated.