Northern Cape provincial commissioner confers ranks on newly appointed SAPS officers

THE PROVINCIAL commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, officially conferred ranks on newly promoted officers during an Extended Provincial Crime Combatting Forum (EPCCF) Management meeting at the provincial headquarters in Kimberley on Monday.

Lieutenant-General Otola was joined by the deputy provincial commissioner of Policing, Major-General Keagekae Besnaar, the deputy provincial commissioner of Crime Detection, Major-General Luntu Ngubelanga and the district commissioner of Frances Baard, Major-General Gabathata Makgari. Provincial Heads of various components attended the event in person, while the four other district commissioners and their respective stations participated via a virtual platform.

The newly promoted officers, whose appointments took effect on March 1, 2025, include:

• Colonel Itumeleng Pudule – appointed as the provincial head of Employee Health and Wellness Services.
• Lieutenant-Colonel Mosimaneotsile Letsapa – newly appointed station commander of Kathu.
• Lieutenant-Colonel Bakang Kgwadi – newly appointed station commander of Keimoes.

Additionally, the following officers were promoted to the rank of captain and appointed as new station commanders:

• Captain Tebogo Oliphant – Plooysburg
• Captain Aloycia Motlatsi – Hondeklipbaai
• Captain Xolani Ralarala – Vanwyksvlei
• Captain Renard Setlhabi – Onseepkans
• Captain Anel Thiro – Marydale
• Captain Melvin Wales – Philipstown
• Captain Frank Witbooi – Olifantshoek
• Captain Silulami Nomyayi – Fraserburg
• Captain Johannes Bekker – Aggenys

Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said that before the official conferral of ranks, Lieutenant-General Otola invited the newly appointed officers into the EPCCF meeting to familiarise themselves with the expectations placed upon station commanders.

“In her congratulatory message, Lieutenant-General Otola indicated that with the new rank comes new responsibilities and accountability. And before they make her proud, they must make themselves proud. She also urged them to take command of their respective offices and not be intimidated by any person,” said Litabe.