The newly appointed provincial head of corporate communication and media liaison services, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, was introduced to members of the media and the broader public last Friday. Mashaba assumed his role, succeeding Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, who retired in March of this year. The new primary spokesperson for the police was introduced by the provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Limpopo, Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe.
During his speech, Brigadier Mashaba mentioned that he had gained a wealth of experience during his tenure at his previous employer, the Gauteng Department of Community Safety. He expressed his intent to leverage this experience to ensure the seamless coordination of communication services within the SAPS. His goal is to work closely with various law-enforcement agencies and other stakeholders, particularly in the context of safety.
Mashaba also expressed his gratitude to his predecessor, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, and notably, to Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, who temporarily assumed the role after Mojapelo's retirement.
"It is our responsibility as communicators to convey the successes of integrated policing to society and various stakeholders. I am here to enhance the prestige and image of the SAPS. I am prepared to serve the Limpopo Province with humility, commitment, dedication, and passion," Mashaba stated.
Mashaba pledged to strengthen the relationships with media outlets. He acknowledged and expressed his appreciation for the existing working relations between the media and the SAPS in the province. "This interaction will help the media gain a better understanding of our work. In such a relaxed setting, the media will also come to appreciate the challenges and successes of the SAPS."
Mashaba concluded by emphasising the need for collaboration between the police and the media in sharing information to educate and empower communities.