Pretoria – Lieutenant General Bethuel Zuma has been appointed Gauteng provincial police commissioner, national commissioner Riah Phiyega said on Saturday.

“Lieutenant General Zuma has 20 years experience as a policeman,” Phiyega told reporters in Pretoria.

“He worked his ranks up in the police from constable to major general.”

Zuma would replace Lieutenant General Mzwandile Petros, whose last day as provincial commissioner was Saturday.

He was not related to President Jacob Zuma.

“I wish to also take this opportunity to thank Lieutenant General Petros for being a loyal servant of the service,” Phiyega said.

“He is the epitome of a professional police officer.”

She said Petros had agreed to stay with the police for a year.

“We have been engaged in discussions about his future role in the police.

“He indicated his desire to move on and pursue other interests. I have tried hard to ensure that his skills are not lost to the SAPS [SA Police Service].

He has kindly agreed to stay on until the end of this year to focus on a number of special projects,” she said.

SAPA