New leader takes the helm at Crystal Park SAPS
He officially began his duties at Crystal Park SAPS in September.
Crystal Park SAPS is under the new leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Mahlangu, a seasoned officer with decades of experience in law enforcement.
He takes over from Lieutenant Colonel Annalien Naudé who took early retirement last year.
Mahlangu joined the SAPS in 1992 and his first post was at Boksburg Police Station. Over the years, he steadily climbed the ranks from constable to sergeant to warrant officer while gaining experience in various departments, including the Community Service Centre (CSC), crime prevention, and the detective branch, where he served for 17 years.
He has further worked with specialised units focusing on serious and violent crimes, including homicide investigations. Mahlangu said years later, he returned to visible policing (Vispol), where he took on roles as a CSC officer and relief commander.
Noting his leadership skills, Mahlangu was promoted in 2019 to Dawn Park SAPS as a Vispol Commander before his recent appointment as the station commander of Crystal Park SAPS.
Although he took up the position on May 1 last year, Mahlangu said he spent three months in Cape Town undergoing empowerment training for station management. He officially began his duties at Crystal Park SAPS in September.
Mahlangu expressed appreciation for the warm reception from his team.
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“The staff here is friendly and willing to work with me. Some of them knew me before, which makes the transition smoother,” he said.
He highlighted that some of the prevalent crimes in the Crystal Park precinct include house burglaries, business robberies, hijackings, and other contact crimes.
“To end the scourge of these crimes, we will work closely with the community, as they are our eyes and ears on the ground. We will continue collaborating with the Community Policing Forum (CPF), businesses, schools, churches, and other stakeholders,” Mahlangu stated.
Mahlangu said another key focus under his leadership will ensure the quality of investigations to achieve strong conviction rates. “We will work towards improving case investigations to secure successful convictions,” he added.
Describing himself as an open and approachable leader, Mahlangu welcomes community engagement and constructive criticism.
@benonicitytimes Crystal Park SAPS is under the new leadership of Colonel Daniel Mahlangu, a seasoned officer with decades of experience in law enforcement. He takes over from Lieutenant Annalien Naude, who took early retirement last year.
“We invite community members to join us in policing efforts by becoming part of the CPF and neighbourhood patrollers,” he said.
Beyond his duties as a station commander, Mahlangu, who lives in Boksburg, is also a dedicated family man.
“When I am not at work, I spend time with my family, though I always stay informed about what’s happening at the station,” he shared.
Contact the new station commander on 082 822 8315.
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