Vision & Priorities of General Fannie Masemola National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS)

 

Vision & Priorities of General Fannie Masemola

Upon his appointment in March 2022, General Masemola outlined a clear strategic direction focused on rebuilding public trust, enhancing policing efficiency, and reinforcing community safety:

• Building Community-Police Confidence:
  He emphasized the urgent need to strengthen relations between SAPS and the public, and to restore credibility in the police's role.
  “The immediate demand for my priority attention is on: the need to build and strengthen community-police relations and subsequently change the prevailing negative public perception…” sanews.gov.za

• Improving Service Quality & Infrastructure:
  He prioritized addressing internal challenges such as DNA testing backlogs, modernizing the Firearm Registry, and filling critical vacancies in units like Crime Intelligence and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. sanews.gov.za

• Training, Recruitment & Policing Standards:
  A landmark initiative under his leadership was an unprecedented recruitment drive: 12,000 new recruits, more than double the usual intake. These recruits were subjected to rigorous, accredited training aligned with international policing standards. sanews.gov.za

• Targeted Crime Focus:
  He pledged decisive action against aggravated crimes — including gender-based violence, cash-in-transit heists, illicit mining, and extortion at critical infrastructure sites — by deploying dedicated units to tackle these threats. sanews.gov.za

• Operational Track Record:
  His appointment was backed by a strong policing resume — from de-escalating violence in post-apartheid KwaZulu-Natal to reducing cash-in-transit crimes and overseeing security for elections, major events like the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and COVID-19 coordination efforts. sanews.gov.zaNews24+1

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