For the first time, a woman was appointed as the police district commissioner in the ZF Mgcawu (ZFM) district.
Maj Gen. Thabo Elizabeth Mphuthi, who hails from Gauteng, commenced with her duties on 1 August.
Mphuthi says she has every intention of making a positive change where there are shortfalls in the ZFM district, saying it will be achieved in solidarity with police members, the community and other stakeholders.
“The ZFM district is a vast area and the police manage with the limited resources they have to their disposal. Police stations are not expected to work in isolation, thus the involvement of communities in fighting crime is encouraged,” Mphuthi says.
“As police we condemn the action of taking law into individuals’ hands, and are pleading with communities and structures to support the police through Community Policing Forums in ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.
“My commitment to the district is to lead and ensure that our members uphold their pledge to serve and protect.”
Mphuthi was born and bred in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, where she started her career in 1987 as a constable working in the community service centre and went through the ranks.
Mphuthi is an experienced member who has occupied different positions. She served in, amongst others, the Corporate Communication and Social Crime unit at junior management level, Vispol at middle management level and station and district commander at senior management level.
This includes the Secunda Cluster and the Ekurhuleni Central Cluster. She was later appointed as station commander of Benoni SAPS.
Mphuthi holds qualifications in Public Administration, Policing Practice and Management, and is currently studying towards her doctor’s degree in Management.
