SAPS Profile | History

(SINCE 1994)

South Africa became an internationally accepted democracy in 1994 when President Nelson Mandela was elected as the first President of the new South Africa, bringing the era of "apartheid" to an end. This new democratic order brought about many changes in the country and also had a substantial impact on policing. Mr Sydney Mufamadi was appointed as the first Minister for Safety and Security in the new South Africa. He was assisted by Deputy Minister Joe Matthews.

Prior to 1995, South Africa was divided into the so-called TBVC States, Self-Governing Territories and Development Regions (old South Africa). The TBVC States had independent status but were not widely recognized by the international community. The TBVC States and Self-Governing Territories were also referred to as Homelands (see map). These so-called Homelands were the following:

TBVC States: Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei
Self-Governing Territories: Gazankulu, Kangwane, Kwandebele, Kwazulu, Lebowa and Qwaqwa

Every homeland had its own policing agency, bringing the total number of policing agencies in the country to eleven (10 homelands + the old South African Police). All eleven policing agencies had different uniforms, rank structures and conditions of service and were established under different pieces of legislation.

With the adoption of the interim Constitution in 1994, the Homelands and old development regions were abolished and integrated into a united South Africa with nine provinces. The new Constitution established a single National Police Service for South Africa under the executive command and control of a National Commissioner who is appointed by the President.

On 29 January 1995, General George Fivaz was appointed by President Nelson Mandela as the first National Commissioner of the new South African Police Service (click here for his inauguration speech). George Fivaz had the responsibility to first and foremost amalgamate the eleven policing agencies into a single united South African Police Service and secondly to align the new Police Service to new legislation and the process of transformation in South Africa.

South Africa held elections in 1999 and Minister Sydney Mufamadi was succeeded by Minister Steve Tshwete as Minister for Safety and Security when he was appointed in that position by the country's new President, Thabo Mbeki. Mr Joe Matthews remained as Deputy Minister for Safety and Security.

National Commissioner George Fivaz's term of office expired during January 2000 and he was succeeded by Jackie Selebi (click here for his inauguration speech). Minister Tshwete paid tribute to Fivaz and indicted that policing in South Africa had entered a new era with the appointment of Jackie Selebi as the second National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (click here for his official speech at the handing over of command at a special parade).

Fate dictated that Minister Steve Tshwete should depart on the eve of the anniversary of Freedom Day, our new beginning.

Minister Tshwete was succeeded by Minister Charles Nqakula during May 2002.

During the Election of 2004 Deputy Minister Joe Matthews was succeeded by Deputy Minister S Shabangu when she was appointed as Deputy Minister for Safety and Security.

A decade and a half after Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was formally elected as the first President of a democratic South Africa, and after President Mbeki took the oath of office, as the second President of the Republic in June 1999, Mr Jacob Zuma became the fourth President of the Republic of South Africa on 9 May 2009.

After the Inauguration President Jacob Zuma on 10 May 2009 announced the appointment of a new cabinet. Minister Nathi Mthethwa was appointed as Minister of Police and Deputy Minister Fikile Mbalula was appointed as Deputy Minister of Police. As one of the priorities in his Medium Term Strategic Framework President Zuma outlined the importance of working together with all South Africans, so as to intensify the fight against crime and corruption. He stressed the need to build cohesive, caring and sustainable communities. The name of the Ministry for Safety and Security was also changed to Ministry of Police to emphasise real operational energy in police work that will contribute to the reduction of serious and violent crimes.

General Bheki Hamilton Cele was appointed by President Zuma as Police Commissioner of the South African Police Service on 2 August 2009. General Cele who worked in this related field since 1994 was, until his appointment, serving as the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison in KwaZulu-Natal. The President expressed no doubt that General Cele would lead the SAPS efficiently and effectively in forging ahead to improve its capacity to fight crime. (Click here for the announcement of the new National Police Commissioner)

On 31 October 2010 President Jacob Zuma announced changes to the National Executive. Changes were guided by the mission of our government, which is to improve the quality of life for all South Africans especially the poor, working with all our people, providing access to basic services and addressing the need to see a visible improvement in safety and security and a host of other basic needs. Deputy Minister Makhotso Magdeline Sotyu replaced Deputy Minister Mbalula, who now became the Minister of Sport and Recreation. Deputy Minister Sotyu has been involved in various Parliamentary Committees including the Portfolio Committees on Water and Environment as well as Police. (see media release on welcoming of deputy minister)

On 12 June 2012, the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma, announced the appointment of a new National Commissioner of the South African Police Service. The Minister of Police, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, has welcomed General Phiyega to the police family on behalf of all employees and said that "we will give her all the necessary support to ensure that we collectively continue to deal a blow to crime". (Click here to see media release on welcoming of new National Commissioner)