There’s a new sheriff in town: SAPS in Limpopo appoints a new head of communication

 By: Simon Majadibodu

Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba has been appointed as the Provincial Head of Corporate Communication and Media Laison Services for the SAPS, in Limpopo after the retirement of Provincial Head, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo. Photo: Facebook / SAPS

The South African Police Service in Limpopo has new head of communication.

On October 20, the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, represented by Deputy Provincial Commissioner Human Resources, Major General Christine Morakaladi, introduced the newly appointed Provincial Head of Corporate Communication and Media Liaison Services, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, to the Limpopo province Media Houses and to the public.

The appointment of the new head of communication comes after the retirement of the former Provincial Head, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, in March 2023.

Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Christine Morakaladi was joined by Department of Transport and Community Safety Director Tidimalo Chuene, Spokesperson for the Directorate Priority Crime Investigations (HAWKS), Lieutenant Colonel Maluleke Matimba, and other members of media houses such as Radio Turf, Energy FM,  Waterberg Wave FM, Perfect Radio, Mokopane Community Radio,  Sekgosese Community Radio,different District corporate communications officers, as well as members of SAPS provincial corporate communications.

Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba is the new head of communication for the SAPS in Limpopo province. Photo: Facebook / SAPS

In his address, Brigadier Mashaba acknowledged his previous employer, the Department of Community Safety under the leadership of MEC Faith Mazibuko, for the vast amount of experience he has attained during his laborious years of service.

“I will be using this experience to ensure seamless co-ordination of communication services within SAPS working closely with various law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders with an interest on safety,” he said.

Mashaba also hailed his former predecessors, former Provincial Head of Corporate Communication and Liaison, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo and most notably, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba who held the fort since the retirement of the former Provincial Head.

He added: "It is our duty as communicators to communicate the successes of integrated policing to society and various stakeholders. I am here to enhance the prestige and image of SAPS and am ready to serve Limpopo province with humility, commitment, dedication and passion.”

Mashaba said that he will be strengthening relationships with media houses as part of media relations building exercise and appreciated the already existing working relations forged by the SAPS Media Relations team in the province.

 “This exercise will help the media to understand our area of work better. In a relaxed setting such as this one, the media will also begin to appreciate the constraints and successes of SAPS,” Mashaba added.

Mashaba also stressed the need for collaboration between police and media in information sharing with the purpose of educating and empowering communities.

He pointed out that he believes in empowering the citizens to participate in fighting crime collectively with the police.