New top cop in town: Lt Gen Modise takes over Mpumalanga SAPS
Mpumalanga has a brand new top cop. Lieutenant General Nkakoane Aphania Modise has officially stepped up as the province’s new Provincial Police Commissioner, taking over the reins to clean up local crime.
The big announcement was made down the road at the Bethal Police Station by Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, alongside Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu and MEC Jackie Macie. Modise slides into the role taking over from Major General Dr. Zeph Mkhwanazi, who kept things steady in an acting capacity for three years before retiring after an impressive 40 years on the force.
37 Years in the Trenches
Modise is no rookie. She brings a massive 37 years of policing experience to the table, kicking off her career way back in 1989 at the Hammanskraal Police Academy. Over the decades, she has rolled up her sleeves in tough operational environments—working her way from a community service centre constable to spending heavy time in the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, and later commanding clusters and handling crime detection in the Free State.
She holds a National Diploma in Policing and a BA in Public Administration, which leaders say makes her well-equipped to handle the heavy demands of policing across Mpumalanga’s 90 stations.
What this means for Witbank eMalahleni
With Witbank eMalahleni and the broader Nkangala district facing ongoing battles with violent crime, home invasions, and local security headaches, the new leadership has promised a tough stance on criminality and corruption.
During her unveiling, Modise made it clear she is here for the long haul, promising to pack her bags, relocate, and live in the province until she retires. Community safety structures and local residents will be watching closely to see if the leadership shake-up brings the boots-on-the-ground change and safety eMalahleni desperately needs.