National commissioner of the SAPS General Fannie Masemola, representing the force, has wished Gauteng provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela well on his retirement.
Mawela retired on January 31 after 39 years of continuous, loyal, and dedicated service. He started as a student constable in 1984 at the Mamelodi policing precinct and rose through the ranks to become a Lieutenant General in 2011.
He held various senior roles, including deputy area commissioner of Pretoria, head of border policing, divisional commissioner of operational response services, and NATJOINTS chairperson. For the last five years, he served as a provincial commissioner on a five-year contract.
Masemola commended Mawela for his excellent operational skills and his leadership as a servant. He noted Mawela’s significant achievements in building strong relationships with communities and key stakeholders in the fight against crime, which led to the inception of the O Kae Molao initiative.
Under O Kae Molao, Gauteng police conducted high-density operations to apprehend wanted suspects, seize illegal goods, and recover stolen vehicles and firearms, culminating in Operation Shanela.
Masemola emphasized Mawela’s lasting legacy within the organization, which will inspire future generations of police officers. He described Mawela as a dedicated servant of the people of South Africa, regardless of his deployment.
Masemola expressed gratitude to Mawela’s family for their support throughout his career. The SAPS has already begun the recruitment process to fill the vacancy left by Mawela’s retirement.
By Ekurhuleni News Reporter
