Controversial cop part of SAPS reshuffle

The SA Police Service plans to redeploy Gauteng's deputy police commissioner Maj-Gen Phumza Gela to the Free State. File picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

The SA Police Service plans to redeploy Gauteng's deputy police commissioner Maj-Gen Phumza Gela to the Free State. File picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

Published Jan 20, 2015

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Johannesburg - The SA Police Service plans to redeploy one of the officials accused in the Guptagate controversy, Gauteng's deputy police commissioner Maj-Gen Phumza Gela, to the Free State, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

“...Nine senior managers from the Gauteng province have been given an opportunity to take up leadership roles at different levels of command across the Gauteng province,” Lt-Gen Solomon Makgale said.

“Only Major-General Phumza Gela has been asked to go outside Gauteng province to the Free State.”

Makgale said it was vital to occasionally review plans and tactics to intensify the fight against crime, as the SAPS operated in a dynamic environment.

“In view of this, the SAPS top management has taken a decision to revitalise policing in the Gauteng province by enhancing capacity at operational level, where it is needed the most, with experienced senior managers,” he said.

“We followed a very dignified process whereby all those affected were called individually to a meeting to discuss the changes. Their skills profiles, personal circumstance and the interests of the SAPS were taken into consideration.”

Makgale said the majority of the affected employees had accepted redeployment.

“The affected individuals were also given 21 working days, which expires on 29 January 2015, to go and consider management's proposal.

“Should they come up with compelling reasons as to why they shouldn't be rotated, then management will certainly consider those. There will be no loss of benefits.”

Last year, Times Live reported that Gela was suspended over his alleged involvement in the landing of the Gupta family's private aircraft at Waterkloof Air Force Base.

The government suspended five high-ranking officials and military personnel over the unauthorised landing, including Gela. The suspension was later lifted.

In May, Times Live reported that the SA Police Union (Sapu) had applied to the Labour Court for an order preventing Gela and another brigadier from intimidating two senior officers.

Gela was accused of abusing the commander of the Gauteng 10111 call centre Brigadier Shirley Venter and of withholding the pay of another officer, Brigadier Govindsamy Mariemuthoo.

It was unclear if there was a ruling made in the case. Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union spokeswoman Theto Mahlakoana could not be reached for clarity on Tuesday.

The other eight affected police employees and the proposed changes are;

1) Maj-General Makhosazana Maloka, to go from human resource management, to physical resources;

2) Maj-General Tebello Mosikili, currently deputy provincial commissioner of crime detection, to cluster commander for Katlehong;

3) Maj-Gen Norman Taioe, currently provincial head for crime detection, to become cluster commander for Sebokeng;

4) Maj-Gen Dimakatso Ndaba, currently deputy provincial commissioner of physical resource management, to cluster commander of Hillbrow;

5) Maj-Gen Deliwe de Lange, currently cluster commander of Sebokeng to go to deputy provincial commissioner of human resource management;

6) Maj-General Theko Pharasi, currently cluster commander of Hillbrow, to deputy provincial commissioner of crime detection.

7) Maj-Gen Nneke Ledwaba, currently cluster commander of Katlehong, to become cluster commander of Sunnyside;

8) Maj-Gen Kotsi Nkomo, currently component head: auxiliary and security services at national office, to become deputy provincial commissioner of crime detection.

Sapa

* This story has been updated to correct the name of a union. 

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