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Minister Mthethwa Welcomes Newly-Appointed Deputy Minister of Police
01 November 2010

If criminals thought the departure of former Deputy Minister of Police, Fikile Mbalula will create a vacuum in the South African Police Service’s crusade of dealing a deadly blow on crime, they are so mistaken. The ‘new kid on the block’ who takes over as the Deputy Minister of Police, Ms Makhotso Magdalene Sotyu is an equally gutsy, committed and hard-working replacement.

These were the sentiments echoed by the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa today when he congratulated Minister Mbalula for his appointment by President Jacob Zuma yesterday, as the new Minister of Sport and Recreation. “Minister Mbalula has played an indelible role in our Ministry’s success and mission of dealing a blow to crime. As my deputy, he was instrumental in helping me steer the policy direction of SAPS and particularly ensuring that we achieve our mission, which is to ensure that all South Africans are, and feel safe.";

“His hatred for crime and willingness to serve the nation is what nurtured his commitment during his tenure in the Ministry. He inspired most of our police officers to carry their work with commitment despite the challenging conditions they at times found themselves. On behalf of the National Commissioner of Police, General Bheki Cele, the entire SAPS management and all staff, we congratulate and wish him well in his new position.

He said he had no doubt that he will continue to excel and bring to the sporting fraternity the same vigour and commitment he displayed in the policing sphere “We are confident that the 2010 FIFA World Cup experience that Minister Mbalula acquired will leave a lasting legacy in his leadership of the Sport and Recreation Ministry,"; added the Minister.

Meanwhile, Minister Mthethwa also officially welcomed our newly-appointed Deputy Minister, Ms Sotyu adding that she joins the Ministry at a time when government has upped its war on crime. “We are excited to welcome Ms Sotyu to our family, a family that has one clear motto: to defeat crime. We are confident that her long career spanning from being involved in various Parliamentary Committees including the Portfolio Committees on Water and Environment as well as Police, will stand her in good stead in her new role.";

He warned criminals that if they thought her appointment will soften the Ministry’s fight against crime, they are in for a shock. “Naturally, women are caring, compassionate and soft individuals at heart. But we want to warn those scoundrels out there who may think she is a softie that they better watch out. In Deputy Minister Sotyu, we have acquired a stalwart and a hard-worker, who just like her predecessor, hates crime with passion. Therefore die poppe sal nog dans,"; concluded the Minister.

For enquiries, please contact:
Zweli Mnisii, Spokesperson to the Minister of Police : 082 045 4024