Mbombela welcomes new commanders
Critical positions within the police, some of which have been vacant for up to 18 months, were finally filled this week.
MBOMBELA- Critical positions within the police, some of which have been vacant for up to 18 months, were finally filled this week. Provincial commissioner Lt Genl Thulani Ntobela, appointed five new commanders at the Mpumalanga offices on Monday.
One of the positions he was particularly excited about, was that of chief financial officer (CFO). “I have been using a calculator to budget for the province because I am not an expert in finance. I will now finally know when I am over- or underspending,” he said.
According to him, it was unacceptable for the office to operate without a CFO, although it was not within the provincial capacity to appoint one.
Brig Thabo Mphuthi will be cluster commander at Secunda. According to Ntobela, she will be in charge of the most difficult cluster since there are more stations. The former commander resigned last year. Mphuthi said she will reach her goals by working with other departments.
Brig Velisiwe Mdaka served as acting cluster and station commander and has now been appointed as station commander in Tonga. Ntobela explained that Mdaka had to be responsible for two positions and believed she would be relieved that it was now only one. “I am very grateful, she did very well. She has been rewarded by getting this position, she really deserves it,” Ntobela added.
Mdaka said she had plans to decrease protests over the lack of service delivery in the community. She believes working together with councillors, engaging with the community and traditional leaders will lead to reaching her goals, because without them, the crime rate will not decrease. “I would like to remove the trio crimes: house burglary, business burglary and hijacking. These are the reasons why Tonga is on the map,” she said.
Brig Makhosazana Kheswa was a cluster commander and has been appointed as the new station commander in Vosman.
Brig Abel Manghena was a cluster coordinator and is now a cluster commander in KwaMhlanga. According to Ntobela, the position at KwaMhlanga had been vacant for a long time and he was forced to request someone from his office to be an acting cluster commander until the correct candidate was appointed.
Brig Lizzy Mtungwa will be a cluster commander at Tonga. She was a station commander before she was appointed in her new position. Mtungwa is said to be experienced in the field and has all the knowledge required. The commissioner said all the vacant posts would be filled soon and the five new commanders were ready to continue serving the people.
