The Western Cape’s Department of Community Safety has welcomed the province’s new head of police, Maj. Gen.Thembisile Patekile.

Patekile was already serving as the province’s acting commissioner after he replaced commissioner Yolisa Matakata in February 2021.

In a statement by the department, Minister Albert Fritz indicated that Patekile comes with a wealth of experience as he previously worked in the Eastern and Western Cape.

“Over the last few months while Gen. Patekile was acting, we managed to develop a good working relationship based on openness and transparency. We have been mutually supportive of each other in our respective roles,” Fritz said.


Fritz added his department is satisfied that the recruitment process duly complied with all the relevant norms and standards and that it was, therefore, fair and transparent.

“We look forward to continuing our journey together by further strengthening our working relationship. We welcome the stability in the provincial SAPS that comes with the appointment of a Provincial Commissioner, and will continue to work together to make the Western Cape a safer province for all its citizens,” Fritz added.

Meanwhile, police in the province are still without any leads after eight people have been killed in Gugulethu while attending a traditional ceremony on Wednesday, June 23.

A 72-Hour Activation plan was also launched on Saturday, June 26, after the bodies of three men were discovered in Samora Machel, each with one gunshot wound to the head.

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Picture: Twitter/ Albert Fritz

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