Acting Police Minister Cachalia says he's not entering role with preconceived notions
Firoz Cachalia was appointed on Sunday night by President Cyril Ramaphosa after Minister Senzo Mchunu was placed on special leave.
Professor Firoz Cachalia has been appointed an incoming Acting Minister of Police. Photo: Facebook/South African Government
JOHANNESBURG - Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says he's not entering the role with preconceived ideas of those serving within the police service.
Cachalia was appointed on Sunday night by President Cyril Ramaphosa after Minister Senzo Mchunu was placed on special leave.
Last week, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made damning allegations against top officials in the South African Police Service (SAPS), including Mchunu.
The president also appointed a Judicial Commission of Inquiry probing the allegations.
Cachalia, who begins work in his position in August, said he is optimistic.
"Only once I take up the appointment and am able to meet with senior police officers, the leadership and so forth can I make that assessment. I've got no illusions about the constraints there might be, but my experience in the past suggests that I have productive relationships with the police management."
He said the revelations were not a reflection of the police service in its entirety.
"I'm not going there with the assumption that everyone will be against me. I mean there are a lot of police officers - and I don't just say that because I'm making public comment - but I think we have police officers who are serious about crime, who are embarrassed by these revelations, who want to be working in an institution that has public respect."
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