Premier Alan Winde and Western Cape MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, have welcomed the appointment of Major General Luyanda Damoyi as the acting Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner.
Winde says Damoyi brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge, having served as the Deputy Provincial Commissioner under his predecessor, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile.
Patekile has officially retired from active service, after serving in the SAPS for nearly four decades.
The Premier says Damoyi will face the same serious challenges, among them the under-resourcing of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Western Cape.
“I urge the Maj Gen to prioritise the push for better resourcing. The SAPS in the Western Cape continues to face significant resource constraints, making strong partnerships with municipal law enforcement agencies, including the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP), more important than ever. While the Western Cape Government remains committed to supporting SAPS wherever possible, we must also accelerate discussions on decentralising key policing functions, such as expanding investigative powers and strengthening intelligence capabilities within metro police services.”
Marais has congratulated Maj Gen Damoyi on his appointment.
“I am confident that his leadership, integrity, and experience will guide the SAPS in the Western Cape with excellence. I wish him every success in strengthening public safety and fostering trust between the SAPS and the communities it serves by upholding the highest standards of justice and accountability.”
The Premier and MEC also urged the Acting Commissioner to consider implementing the recommendations outlined in the Western Cape Government’s Policing Needs and Priorities Report, which they say will assist in improving the work of the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies.
Damoyi has been highly involved in anti-gang and extortion operations across the Cape Flats, frequently leading multi-agency deployments. Before his rise to the provincial level, he also served as the station commander in Delft.
