Deputy Minister, Honorable Bongani Mkongi
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Hon Beukman
Chief of the Defense, General Shoke
The Secretary of Defense, Dr Gulube
The Secretary of Police, Mr. Rapea
Inspector General of Intelligence, Dr Dintwe
Director Generals in the Public Service present
The Director of the Independent Police Investigations Directorate, Mr.McBride
The CEO of PSiRA, Mr Chauke
The Chairperson of National Forensic Oversight & Ethics Board, JusticeMokgoro
The Chairperson of Fire-Arms Appeal Board
The Panel of Experts on Farlam Commission led by Justice Ntshangase
The Chairperson of the Non-Statutory Forces Task Team, Major General Notshweleka
DPCI Complaints Judge, Justice Kgomo
SAPS General, Khehla Sitole
Deputy National Police Commissioners Acting Head of DPCI, Lt. Gen. Matakata
Provincial Police Commissioners, and all Commissioned Officers
Representatives of organized labour and business
The rank and file of the SAPS and other security agencies
Invited guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning to you all this Monday morning, I thank you for your presence here today, a day we once again fulfill our obligations in terms of our democratic constitutional order.

The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency President JG Zuma delegated this distinguished honor to me to stand before you on his behalf and on behalf of Government and people of the Republic of South Africa to officially bestow the powers of the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service on General Khehla John Sitole.

On this momentous day, the Sword of Command of the South African Police Service will be handed over to General Sitole as the newly appointed National Commissioner.

This ceremony represents the formal handing over of power and authority in the upholding of the constitution and the execution of the safety and security constitutional mandate of the Republic of South Africa.

The handing over of the sword symbolises righteousness and justice. It further symbolises the expected efforts of the police to render a fair and unpartisan, apolitical service to the community.

The sword I shall in a moment hand to General Sitole obliges him as a recipient thereof to serve his country with loyalty, courage, dignity and honor, to execute duties and responsibilities with zeal and diligence, setting a good example to those placed under his command as incumbent of this very important post.

General Sitole, it is your responsibility as the National Police Commissioner to ensure the safety of the citizens and inhabitants of this republic - this is a sacrosanct in the execution of the mandate of the South African Police Service.

Ladies and gentlemen, a month ago we released the 2016/2017 National Crime Statistics and it is important that we reflect on how crime and criminality affects all of us. This is a task that requires a concerted effort led by a strong, determined, disciplined and strategic leadership.

The President has conveyed to me that I must reiterate that he had no doubt in his mind when he took the decision of appointing General Sitole to lead the men and women in blue.

The President has also asked me to use this opportunity to encourage the leadership of the South African Police Service, rank and file to give their full cooperation and support to General Sitole to ensure that the strategic objectives of the SAPS are achieved.

I urge all SAPS members and Public Service Act personnel in our environment to rally behind the leadership, which ultimately strengthens the image of the SAPS and enhances cohesion in the organisation holistically while boosting service delivery.

Crime-fighting initiatives require intelligence, precision, strategies and plans on how we would achieve our goal to provide our people with material safety and feelings of safety.

The National Development Plan, in its Vision 2030 is very clear on what we need to work towards; by 2030. We need to ensure that all people living in South Africa feel safe not only in their homes but also at schools, at work and walk freely on the streets without any fear of becoming a victim of crime.

If we are able to provide for safer communities, we will be building a better South Africa, a better Africa and a better world.

Our Medium Term Strategic Framework 2014 – 2019 has formulated numerous outcomes to help us implement the NDP. Among these outcomes are:

• Fighting Corruption
• Nation building and social cohesion
• Provision of efficient, effective and developmental oriented Police Service, batho pele.

Ladies and gentlemen, in order for us to ensure people in South Africa are and feel safe, we need to radically reduce the number of serious crimes including contact crimes, and increasing the percentage of trial-ready dockets.

Similarly, we need to increase our detection rate of all serious crime, including organised crime and importantly, all crimes against women and children. It is also important to note that we have begun our national campaigns against gender-based violence.

SAPS partnership with the other components of our justice system is thus very important. This includes the National Prosecuting Authority, Correctional Services, Social Services and the Justice Department. We must work together.

General, it is important for me to remind you that the constitution requires that the police be ultimately under the civilian authority. The constitution asks for the Minister of Police to direct and supervise the police. It further places policy formulation and direction to the Minister of Police whilst empowering The Inspector General of Intelligence, The Civilian Secretariat of Police, Independent Police Investigations Directorate,Fire-Arms Appeal Board, The National Forensic Oversight and Ethics Board and the DPCI Judge space in the management of police under the guidance and leadership of the Minister of Police.

I mention this to underline that the powers being bestowed unto General Sitole today are not unfettered by our democratic order and values. These layers of checks and balances are aimed at making sure that our democracy is sound and indeed lives up to the ethos of human rights and human dignity. The independence of IPID is a key area of concern for me; we must ensure that IPID is not impeded in carrying out its responsibilities under the law.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to congratulate General Sitole on his extraordinary achievements and encourage him as the leader of the SouthAfrican Police Service continue to lead the way in an exemplary manner.

General, we also encourage you to provide stability in the organisation and finalise the transformation and complete amalgamation of all predemocracy 14 different police forces into a democratic SAPS in an equitable and fair manner. 11 of the 14 were TBVC states and Homelands integrating into SAP all forming the Statutory bloc, with ANC’s MK and PAC’s APLA intelligence and protective units as Non-Statutory. It is now the time to finalise the equitable and fair integration of the SAPS.

The morale of all personnel should be high on the agenda of the leadership of the SAPS and every effort must be made to ensure the safety of our police members in the execution of their duties.

I now beg for your indulgence to allow the PROGRAMME DIRECTOR to read out General Sitole’s Curriculum Vitae after which I shall take my position to call on the National Commissioner, General Sitole, as I hand over command of the South African Police Service to him

Thank you.