Western Cape Provincial Commissioner General Thembisile Patekile, announced he will retire at the end of June after nearly five years leading policing efforts in the province.
The retirement of Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile has elicited mixed reactions from local crime fighters and watchdogs, with some wishing him well, and others saying he leaves behind a trail of bloodshed.
Patekile made the announcement on Thursday during the release of the Western Cape’s fourth-quarter crime statistics, where senior police officials, provincial government leaders and community policing structures paid tribute to his leadership.
"Today marks the end of my term. I will be retiring soon at the end of June," Patekile said.
Patekile was officially appointed as the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner in July 2021 after previously serving in an acting capacity.
