Crime Stop
08600 10111

Report
Child Abuse/images
childprotect@saps.org.za
National Firearms Call Centre
+27 12 353 6111
Police Emergency
Number
10111

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. From this symbolic coincidence, we draw solace from the conviction that his departure is for him a new beginning.

A former Commissar of Umkhonto we Sizwe, Minister Steve Tshwete set out to raise the morale of the police by adopting a hands-on approach and improving their capacity to deal with crime. He emphasised in the implementation of his duties that "interaction between police and Government was not merely a morale booster but actually an active act in the recognition of a police as respectful members of a changing South Africa". Stressing discipline, he also called for greater unity in the police while at the same time unleashing a massive anti-corruption campaign. It is in this period that Visible Policing and visible integrated work among Ministers in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, as in other sectors of government, took root.

His death on Friday, 26 April 2002, is a great loss. But it is also an injunction for us to continue the service that he has so selflessly rendered to his country (Click here to read a tribute to Minister Steve Tshwete).

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.