The appointment was made on Wednesday.
The position has been a thorn of issue between the Police and hierarchy owing to its powers.
General Sitole has a string of awards and has been hailed as a ‘hands-on’ cop coupled with years’ of service within the Police ranks.
The South African Police Services has been without a permanent head since Riah Phiyega was suspended two years ago.
Fikile Mbalula, minister of Police believes that Sitole’s experience will assist in the fight against crime.
“I think President Zuma went for experience and went for a career policeman in order to bring about stability and consolidate the police organisation in the fight against crime.”
The General who originates from Mpumalanga, was stationed as Protection and Security Services Divisional Commissioner.
Following the appointment the Parliament’s Police Portfolio Committee said:” The appointment of General Sitole is a positive step in ensuring stability and clear leadership of South African Police Service which will add impetus to the fight against crime.
Of major importance to the Committee is the appointment of a career policeman with extensive experience necessary to improve cohesion and morale necessary for the fight against crime. The Committee has for a while called for the appointment of a competent accounting officer with the energy, strategic vision and innovation plans to fight crime and corruption,” said Francois Beukman, the Chairperson of the Committee.
The Committee has in the course of discharging its constitutional obligation interacted with General Sitole and is of the view that he has the necessary technical and policing expertise to take the police forward.
The Committee urges the Management team and all SAPS Officers to support General Sitole in ensuring that all within the borders of the country are and feel safe.
The Committee is of the view that it is of vital importance that General Sitole ensures that all recommendations of the NDP in relations to policing are fully implemented as a matter urgency.
Sitole, replaces Lieutenant General Lesetja Mothiba (former acting Commissioner), who is under investigation for allegations of dodgy vetting of Head of Intelligence and appointing wife as PA.
