The City of Ekurhuleni has formally reinstated the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Media and Public Relations Unit as a dedicated, formally constituted function within the department and has returned Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa to her substantive position as Head of the unit.
The decision follows an internal review of the EMPD’s communications arrangements and the need to align operational practice with the City’s approved organisational structure, governance prescripts and communication policies. City Manager, Mr Kagiso Lerutla, said the move is part of strengthening transparency, accountability and public confidence in the EMPD. “Professional, consistent and accountable communication is essential for any law[1]enforcement agency operating in a constitutional democracy. The reinstatement of the EMPD Media and Public Relations Unit is a corrective governance measure that ensures our communications functions operate within an approved structure, with clear reporting lines and proper oversight,” said Lerutla. “This step supports our broader Renewal Programme by reinforcing clean governance, institutional integrity and openness to the public we serve.”
The reinstated EMPD Media and Public Relations Unit will:
Coordinate media enquiries, statements and interview requests relating to EMPD operations; Support proactive public information, safety campaigns and community awareness initiatives; Work in close alignment with the City’s Communications, Marketing and Tourism Department to ensure consistent messaging and brand integrity; and Strengthen crisis communication capacity in relation to law-enforcement incidents and public safety matters.
The City notes that issues relating to the EMPD and its communications practices have arisen in evidence before the Madlanga Commission.
The reinstatement of the media unit and the return of Lt Col Thepa to her position is an administrative and governance intervention and does not pre-empt the findings of the Commission or any ongoing labour processes. “We will continue to cooperate fully with the Madlanga Commission and respect its independence,” Lerutla added. “At the same time, we have a responsibility to ensure that our internal structures are sound, lawful and fit for purpose so that residents receive timely, accurate and reliable information.” The EMPD Media and Public Relations Unit will become operational under its reinstated structure upon completion of the implementation plan currently being finalised by the Department of Community Safety.
