Pretoria - The newly appointed KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga Police Commissioners have pledged to intensify crime fighting strategies and to leave no stone unturned in the war against crime.
Speaking to BuaNews on Thursday, newly appointed KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Monnye Ngobeni assured that the province's citizens would see a significant decline in crime, adding there will be no place to hide for criminals.
"My colleagues have been working hard in fighting this plague in the province and we will win this war to ensure that people are living in a safe environment," said Ngobeni on Thursday.
KwaZulu-Natal remains one of the top provinces affected by crime and according to crime statistics for the 2008/2009 fiscal year, serious crimes like murder, carjacking and business robbery had increased in the province.
Commissioner Ngobeni told BuaNews the statistics were a cause for concern, adding that together with her team, they were prepared to tackle criminals and leave no stone unturned in minimising the space for criminals.
The new KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner has served in the South Africa Police Service for 22 years.
She has performed functions on various levels with the SAPS, both in the operational and the support environment. She has also played an instrumental role in reducing taxi violence in the province.
Her appointment makes her the second woman in the history of the SAPS to be appointed to the position of Provincial Commissioner following the appointment of Northern Cape's Police Commissioner Mme Mbambo.
Ngobeni, together with the new Mpumalanga Police Commissioner Thulani Ntobela, were appointed by National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele in terms of section 207 of the South African Constitution.
Ntobela has served the organisation for a period of 28 years and has performed various functions predominantly in the operational environment.
This police veteran was recently appointed as the Deputy Provincial Commissioner in Policing in the Western Cape following the departure of Deputy National Commissioner Anwa Dramat to the
Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation based in the National Head Office.
Ntobela told BuaNews that everyone in the organisation knows that crime is a serious issue in South Africa, adding that police on the ground required good leadership to deliver on their mandate.
He added that crime in Mpumalanga had increased and he would encourage his team to work hard in improving the situation, promising that he will do everything possible to eliminate criminals in the province.
Cele said he was confident that the appointment of these provincial commissioners will go a long way in ensuring the creation of a safe and secure environment for all.
"Both these officers managed their respective portfolios exceptionally well and proved themselves to be competent in the execution of their policing mandate.
"As well trained senior officers, they are familiar with the functioning and challenges of the South African Police Service. They have proved to be competent leaders with practical knowledge and experience.
"Their overall performance unequivocally qualifies them for appointment to the posts," said Cele.