The Western Cape will have a new provincial police commissioner from 1 August 2026, with Major General Sizakhele Dyantyi taking over the role following the retirement of Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile at the end of June.

Dyantyi brings more than 30 years of policing experience to the position. During a media briefing in Cape Town on Wednesday, Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane said she is confident that he will serve the province with diligence at a time when the Western Cape continues to grapple with escalating gun violence. Eleven people were killed in shootings across the city over the past weekend alone.

Dimpane stressed that Dyantyi faces a mammoth task, with communities across the province expecting to see meaningful and noticeable changes in policing. She added that his leadership will be closely watched as the South African Police Service (SAPS) works to restore public confidence and improve safety.

“We have every confidence that his leadership will strengthen organisational renewal, enhance operational effectiveness and deepen public trust in policing and aggressively lead the Reset Agenda.  Lieutenant General Dyantyi, today you inherit an enormous responsibility. The people of the Western Cape expect visible policing, victims expect justice, communities expect safer neighbourhoods, business expects certainty, our members expect exemplary leadership. Moreover, government expects effective and efficient service delivery, the Constitution expects accountability. As you take up this mammoth task, lead with courage, humility, integrity.”

 

The Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has welcomed Dyantyi’s appointment, saying he admires his willingness to step up and take on the demanding role. Winde, however, cautioned that the position can be a lonely one, adding that this presents an important opportunity for the new commissioner to rebuild public trust in SAPS.

“There has not been a time like this before where parliamentary processes and oversight, commissions of inquiry are raising many questions. It is a difficult time to step up and lead, but it is also a very critical time. Our residents deserve and desperately need a police service that is properly resourced, intelligence-led and capable of effectively combating and preventing violent crime,” he stated.

Addressing the media, Dyantyi said he is ready to take on the role and the challenges that come with it. He said he already has a plan to restore public confidence in SAPS.

“The province under my leadership will take operational steps in supporting evidence-based policing, coupled with the operational readiness of members, while advancing technology in policing in order to overcome the ever-evolving criminal world.”

However, he acknowledged that he cannot do it alone, stressing that rebuilding trust and improving policing will require the support of communities and other stakeholders.

“I commit to work together with all spheres of government to ensure that all communities are not only safe, but they feel safe as well.”