SEDIBENG.-  The South African Police Service (SAPS) has announced that after 38 years of dedicated service, Major General Samuel Manala, Polokwane’s Deputy Provincial Commissioner: Crime Detection, is expected to hang up his boots end of January.

Major General Manala will be concluding an extraordinary policing career, which SAPS said is defined by integrity, wisdom, unwavering commitment to justice and public safety.

“Throughout his distinguished tenure, Major General Manala was a steady voice of reason, a builder of consensus, and a tireless champion of Detective Excellence. His leadership was marked not only by operational successes but by character—approachable yet principled, decisive yet compassionate,” SAPS said.

Born and bred in Evaton, Major General Manala has devoted his life to policing and the pursuit of justice.

For him, policing was never merely a profession; it was a lifelong calling.

Major General Manala joined the South African Police Service (SAPS) on November 16 1988 at Sebokeng SAPS in the District Area of Sedibeng. After completing six months of basic training, he was deployed to Vanderbijlpark Police Station, marking the beginning of his career.

His progression through the ranks reflects dedication, competence, and exceptional leadership:

* 1992: Promoted to Sergeant and stationed at Ennerdale Police Station, serving as Client Service Center (CSC) Commander.

* 1993: Joined the Detective service in Lenasia-South SAPS specialising in investigating Serious and Violent crime-cases which included Murder, Inquest, Armed Robberies, House – Robberies and Business robberies whereby later he was appointed Acting Detective Commander at the very same Lenasia-South SAPS due to his outstanding performance.

* 1996: Promoted to Inspector (Warrant Officer) at Lenasia-South Police Station.

* October 2000: Appointed as a Captain, Detective Commander at The Barrage Police Station.

* 2002: Transferred back to Ennerdale Police station as a Detective Commander, recognised for strong investigative Leadership.

* ⁠2003: Transferred to Sharpeville SAPS as a Detective Commander

* 2004: Promoted to Superintendent (Lieutenant Colonel) and appointed as Station Commander at Sharpeville Police Station.

* 2007–2009 he served as Senior Superintendent (Colonel) at Eldorado Park SAPS.

* ⁠2009: Transferred due to the so-called Regulation 7 to Vereeniging Detectives where he served until promoted to the Rank of Brigadier in December 2010.

* ⁠2010: served as a Station Commander at Orange Farm Police Stations.

* 2014: Transferred as a Station Commander to Vanderbijlpark SAPS until 2016.

* 2016: Deployed to Gauteng Provincial Office as the Provincial Head for Crime Investigation Services.

* 2017: Deployed and appointed Station Commander at Roodepoort Police Station.

* November 2018: Promoted to Major General:  Deputy Provincial Commissioner: Crime Detection at the Limpopo Provincial Office.

As Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General Manala oversaw all Detective function services in Limpopo, which includes:

* Serious and Violent Crimes Unit.

* Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses (FCS).

* Organised Crime Unit

* Commercial Crime Unit

* Crime Investigation Services Unit

Under his stewardship, the province recorded notable successes in complex and high-profile investigations: which include:

* 2019: Significant solving and reduction in Political killings in Vhembe District and Waterberg District in Mogalakwena, previously among Limpopo’s most critical crime challenges which included the killing of two shop stewards as a results of VBS scandal in Vhembe, cases which are currently appearing before the High Court in Thohoyandou.

* 2022:  Successful investigation into the Murder of Collins Chabane Local Municipality Mayor, Cllr Moses Maluleke, resulting in five arrests, with all suspects sentenced to life imprisonment.

* Polokwane: Breakthrough in the Double Murder of two business-women, Makwena Mabusela Leshabane and Tebogo Mphuti, whose investigations led to the arrest and conviction of life imprisonment of four suspects which included the husband of one of the victims.

Major General Manala’s commitment to excellence is further reflected in his academic and professional development:

* National Diploma in Policing – UNISA (1998)

* BTech Degree in Policing and Forensic Investigation (2001)

His professional training includes, among others:

* Detective Learning Programs

* Project Management

* Executive Development

* Research Management

* Detective Commanders Course

* Mentorship Course

* Station Management Modules 1–6

The SAPS said in a statement that Major General Manala finds his greatest satisfaction in seeing justice served and the rule of law upheld. Reflecting on his journey, he offers the following advice to the youth:

“Be patient, love what you are doing, and make a hobby out of your job.”

He also highlighted ongoing challenges within policing, particularly limited resources, and the loss of experienced detectives leaving the service.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, remarked:

“Major General Samuel Manala served with distinction as Deputy Provincial Commissioner: Crime Detection, earning widespread respect for his leadership, integrity, and dedication to service.