Maj-Gen Tommy Mthombeni Elevated to Gauteng Police Commissioner

In a strategic move to strengthen law enforcement in Gauteng, Major-General Tommy Mthombeni has been appointed the new police commissioner for the province, a pivotal position in South Africa's economic heartland. His promotion to lieutenant-general, effective from March 1, was announced at a media briefing by the national police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola.

General Masemola highlighted the critical nature of the positions in ensuring the effective deployment of police capacity and resources. With Mthombeni at the helm, the focus is to amplify police visibility in communities, enhancing prevention, decisive action against crime, and ensuring justice for victims.

Before his appointment, Mthombeni had been acting as the provincial commissioner since February, after Lt-Gen Elias Mawela's retirement. His experience spans over 37 years in various senior roles, including time as Tshwane district commissioner and station commander at the Jabulani police station in Soweto, and Pretoria Central police station. Mthombeni's educational background, with a master’s degree in public administration among other qualifications, positions him well for this leadership role.

He is credited for crafting and executing strategies that significantly curtailed crime levels in the province. General Masemola expressed his full confidence in Mthombeni's continuing efforts to substantially reduce serious and violent crimes in Gauteng, a critical economic region.

Alongside Mthombeni, another high-ranking promotion was announced for Major-General Maropeng Johanna Mamothethi, who now takes on the role of divisional commissioner responsible for visible policing and operations. Her ascent to lieutenant-general places her in charge of key aspects including crime prevention, border security, and specialized interventions.

Mamothethi's extensive experience, marked by 28 years in police service and a robust educational foundation, underlines her readiness for the position. With her proficient handling of firearm licensing and amnesty applications, leading to a significant reduction of backlogs by 94%, she capably managed over half a million applications in the 2021/22 financial year. Her efforts have also contributed to the destruction of over 72,000 firearms, thus, reducing illegal weapons proliferating in the country.

These appointments reflect the South African Police Service's commitment to improving police efficiency and operational effectiveness in combating crime. With their combined expertise and leadership, Mthombeni and Mamothethi are expected to be instrumental in elevating safety and security across Gauteng.