Fannie Masemola announced as SA's new police commissioner

President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement during a national address on Thursday afternoon.

Masemola was picked from a group of 24 candidates, all of them currently serving as Lieutenants-General or higher.

The 24 were cut down to 5 in a selection process chaired by former Safety and Security Minister Sydney Mufamadi.

Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga, Police Minister Bheki Cele as well as Director-General of National Treasury Dondo Mogajane were also among the panel members.

According to Ramaphosa, interviews for the short-listed candidates focused on critical competencies including strategic capability and leadership, programme and project management, financial management, people management and integrity.

"In addition to evaluating candidates on the basis of these competencies, the advisory panel assessed candidates within the broader societal, strategic, operational and reputational context of the South African Police Service," said Ramaphosa.

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"The selection process produced a select group of candidates, who I can assure South Africans were equal in their commitment to making South Africa a safer place."

Masemola will take over from Khehla Sitole who had a tumultuous term at the helm of the police force since November 2017.

"Just as we have done tonight with the SAPS, we will be taking further steps to restore stability to all our security structures, including filling critical vacancies in the State Security Agency and Crime Intelligence," Ramaphosa added.