Newly-appointed Police Minister, Professor Firoz Cachalia, says he will take the recommendations of the National Anti-Corruption Council seriously during his time in office.

Cachalia, who also chairs the council, was sworn in at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Thursday morning. His appointment follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to   Senzo Mchunu on special leave amid corruption allegations.

He says he plans to meet with National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, next Thursday to discuss the way forward.

“I’m now in a better position than I was as chairperson of the council to take the recommendations of the council forward, and I will certainly be doing so. I will be asking the national commissioner, when I meet him, to arrange for a meeting between the council and the national anti-corruption council and his management team to discuss our recommendations,” says Cachalia.

Acting Police Minister | Professor Firoz Cachalia sworn in


Meanwhile, Masemola says he will cooperate with Cachalia and support his efforts to improve policing.

“I commit to work with him. I support him. I will support him and the men and women in blue. We will support him to commit to work with him to make South Africa safe. And we are looking forward for his direction and guidance in making South Africa safe. One thing, as we always say, the first thing is for SAPS to get resources. We need resources, we need more bodies on the ground,” says Masemola.

Cachalia’s appointment comes amid continued efforts to address crime and corruption in South Africa’s policing structures.

Acting Police Minister | Prof. Firoz Cachalia vows to take SA forward