The race is on to find a replacement for police commissioner, Khehla Sitole. He had agreed to step down by the end of this month.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is reportedly choosing from five candidates to take over from Sitole. Among them includes retired Lieutenant – General Gary Kruser, and Gauteng police boss, Lieutenant -General Elias Mawela.

The vacancy in the police commissioner position comes as Sitole had had a strained relationship with Police Minister Bheki Cele. These tensions had contributed to the extent of the unrest experienced in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal last July. The South African Police Service has been gripped by instability, and allegations of corruption.

While the president only has two weeks until he must make a decision, he may appoint an acting police commissioner.