President Jacob Zuma of South Africa has appointed Mangwasi Phivega as the country's first female National Police Commissioner
Zuma announced the appointment ofPhiyega's in Pretoria on Tuesday at a news briefing.
.Phiyega, who is currently the chairperson of the presidential review committee on state owned enterprises and the deputy chairperson of the independent commission on the remuneration of public office bearers, takes over from acting police commisioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi was appointed the acting national police commissioner after former police boss Bheki Cele was suspended from office last year .
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found Cele culpable for his involvement in deals to acquire police office space for South Africa Police Service in Pretoria and Durban.
It will be recalled that President Zuma set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the property leasing and the commission found that he was involved in unethical conduct as the nation's top cop and declared him unfit to hold public office.
Zuma who announced the removal of Cele as the national police commissioner at a news briefing, said “The board has found Gen.Cele culpable of unethical conduct and he therefore unfit for public office and has recommended his removal from office under the provisions of section 8(6)(b)(v) of the South African Police Service Act No. 68 of 1995.
“Having thoroughly considered the report of the board, and applied my mind thereto, I have decided to relief Gen. Cele of his duties.
“Gen.Cele still has a lot to contribute to the country given his experience and commitment to making South Africa a better place for all,''Zuma said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the removal of Cele is the second time a South African top police officer would be removed from office as a result of corruption.
Cele replaced Jacki Selebi who is currently serving 18 years sentence for orruption.
In another development President Zuma also announced a minor cabinet reshuffle following the resignation and the death of some ministers.
In the changes the former Defence minister Lindiwe Sisulu takes over the Department Public Service and Administration while the new Defence Minister is Nosiviwe Mapisa- Nqukula.
The changes also showed that S’bu Ndebele has been moved from the Ministry of Transport to Correctional
Services.
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