PROFESSOR Firoz Cachalia is the new acting minister of Police.
He was sworn-in this morning by President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, at Union Buildings, Pretoria.
Prof Cachalia, resigned from his Wits Law position and will as effective from today August 1, be the acting Police Minister.
“In accordance with section 91(3)(c), President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the appointment of Prof. Cachalia as Minister in the National Executive with the expressed intention that following the swearing-in, Minister Cachalia will be designated to act as Minister of Police,” said the presidency in a statement. “As acting Police Minister I will focus on the effectiveness of crime intelligence”, he promised upon his swearing.
Prof Cachalia says he will set his key priorities once he has met with the National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
“I do not want to make any pronouncements on this matter now, because I haven’t had an opportunity to meet with the Police Commissioner. I think I need to do that before I come to any conclusions, in engaging with him.”
Prof previously served as Gauteng MEC for Community Safety and Economic Development from 2004 to 2010, and was the chair the anti-corruption Advisory Council in 2022.
Cachalia, 66, is a former anti-apartheid activist, lawyer, academic, and long-time public servant.
His appointment comes after the Constitutional Court on Thursday dismissed an application brought by the MK Party challenging Ramaphosa’s decision to appoint a non-member of Parliament.
Image (New sheriff in town. Prof Firoz Cachalia is the new acting police minister. He’s recorded with national Police Commissioner.
