The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, has on behalf of the Service wished the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela well on his retirement.
Today, marks the official retirement of Lt Gen Mawela who hangs his boots and bows out of service after 39 years of uninterrupted, loyal and dedicated service.
He joined SAPS as a student Constable in 1984 in the Mamelodi policing precint, Mawela worked his way up in the ranks to the level of Lieutenant General in 2011.
He has served in a number of senior roles and capacities including that of Deputy Area Commissioner of Pretoria, Component Head: Border policing, Divisional Commissioner: Operational Response Services(ORS) and Natjoints Chairperson.
For the past five years he served as a Provincial Commissioner on a five year contract and his term of office ends today.
General Masemola has praised Mawela for being a great operator and an epitome of a servant leader.
He said Mawela has accomplished a lot during his illustrious career by fostering strong relations with communities and various key stakeholders in the fight against crime which ultimately gave birth to his brain child “O KAE MOLAO”.
O KAE MOLAO saw Gauteng police officers embark on high density operations to trace wanted suspects, confiscate illegal goods and recover illegal and stolen vehicles and firearms. This ultimately birthed OPERATION SHANELA.
General Masemola said Mawela has left the organisation richer as his legacy will be used by future police generations.
“This is a commander who has left an indelible footprint as an operator in all units, stations and components he has led. A true operator, a man of action, to him it didn’t matter where he was deployed to, he served the people of South Africa for the past four decades with sheer diligence and commitment. It has been an honour to serve alongside you. We will miss him and wish him well in his retirement. Thank you to his family for allowing him to serve”, said Gen Masemola.
SAPS has already embarked on a recruitment process to fill the vacancy of Gauteng Provincial Commissioner
