Zwelitsha, Eastern Cape

The Premier of the province, Mr Oscar Mabuyane
The MEC of Community Safety, Mr Xolile Nqata
The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Thandiswa Kupiso
All Deputy Provincial Commissioners present
All District Commissioners and all senior officers

A very good morning to all of you present here today. I have just met and concluded a meeting with the Premier of the province, Mr Oscar Mabuyane, and the MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, Mr Xolile Nqata.

We have also met with the senior management of the province, led by the Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Kupiso.

Our discussions were centred on the state of crime in the province; which includes your gang violence and high murder rate as well as the strides being made to ensure that serious and violent crime is dealt with decisively so in the Eastern Cape.

On top of the agenda is what happened in Kugompo city yesterday. Let’s firstly as the SAPS, condemn in the strongest of terms the incidents of violence and criminality displayed by some residents of Kugompo city.

We cannot allow a situation where vehicles are torched and buildings damaged.

Such actions will not be tolerated by law enforcement and as such those who involved themselves in these acts are being investigated and sought by police.

Additional boots on the ground, mainly public order police (POP) members have been deployed overnight to ensure we stabilise and normalize the area.

Police are closely monitoring the area to prevent and combat any further incidents of violence. Anyone who is caught on the wrong side of the law. Will face the full might and wrath of the law.

The communities of Eastern Cape must rest assured that we are restoring law and order to the area with our main goal to protect all affected. Following the retirement of Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene in February 2025, the position of Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape became vacant. We once again extend our sincere gratitude to Major General Thandiswa Kupiso for holding the fort during this period.

The stability and leadership you provided in the absence of a permanent Provincial Commissioner is deeply appreciated.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The appointment of a Provincial Commissioner in South Africa is governed by Section 207 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and Section 6 of the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995.

As the National Commissioner, I am entrusted with the responsibility of appointing a Provincial Commissioner for a five-year renewable term, in concurrence with the Premier of the province. In terms of the Act, a Provincial Commissioner has command and control over the service within his or her jurisdiction in the province and exercises the powers and performs the duties necessary to give effect to Section 219 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

It therefore gives me great pleasure to announce the promotion of Major General Vuyisile Ncata to the rank of Lieutenant General and his appointment as the new Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape with effect from 01 April 2026.

Lieutenant General Ncata brings with him 31 years of dedicated and distinguished service, having joined the service as a student constable in 1995.

Born and bred in Kwazakele in Gqeberha, he began his career at the Kwanobule police station and later trained as a Public Order Police (POP) member where he served as a unit commander. He spent the first ten years of his career in the Eastern Cape and later moved to the Western Cape where he served as Station Commander at Langa police station in 2011.

In 2014 he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier at Nyanga police station where he led as a Station commander. He spent 18 years in the Western Cape mostly in areas affected by gang violence.

In 2022 he was promoted to the rank of Major General and moved back to his home province where he served as the district commissioner of the Nelson Mandela Bay District; a position he held up until now.

Lieutenant General Ncata holds an Honours degree, a BTech degree as well as a National Diploma in Policing.

Lieutenant General Ncata, you assume this responsibility at a critical time where the province of the Eastern Cape is battling serious and violent crime. Given your experience, your credentials, and your deep understanding of the operational environment, I have full confidence in your ability to lead the SAPS in this province.

With your experience as a seasoned operational commander, I am confident in your ability to provide strong strategic direction and sound judgment—particularly at a time when crime patterns are evolving and organised crime continues to rear its head in the Eastern Cape.

I trust you to deal decisively with challenges mainly experienced by this province such as your gang violence, murders, insurance murders, and other serious and violent crimes.

Colleagues, the SAPS is currently navigating a challenging period in terms of public perception.

You have followed developments arising from what you have heard and seen. You have felt the weight of public scrutiny — some of it fair, some of it brutal — but all of it significant.

In this context, what do I ask of the management and police officers?

Continue to show up; Work closely with communities because communities play a vital and often decisive role in crime fighting and prevention, acting as our eyes and ears where they are providing necessary, intimate knowledge of local areas. Work closely with the Community Police Forums (CPFs), neighbourhood watches, and street committees. This will greatly ensure communities help improve trust relationship between residents and our police.

To the men and women in blue, let us remain steadfast in our duty.

When you deploy, deploy with discipline.

When you act, act with precision.

When you lead, lead with humility.

Let your presence restore confidence. Let your professionalism inspire trust. Let your actions reflect the very best of the South African Police Service.

Go forward knowing that the nation believes in you.

Go forward knowing that the uniform you wear carries the hopes of millions.

Go forward determined to protect our Republic with honour and distinction.

No matter the threat, no matter the challenge, no matter the cost.

May you serve with courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the people of South Africa.

Hold your heads high in honour of the oath you have taken.

Once again, congratulations to Lieutenant General Ncata on a well-deserved appointment.

I THANK YOU!