/ 25 December 2013

Police to probe cop Tshabalala’s death

The SAPS has launched an investigation into the death of its inspectorate's divisional commissioner.
The SAPS has launched an investigation into the death of its inspectorate's divisional commissioner.

An investigation has been launched into the death of the police inspectorate's divisional commissioner, Lieutenant-General Layton Mzondeki (Sean) Tshabalala, the police said on Tuesday.

"An investigation has been launched to look into the circumstance of his death," spokesperson Lieutenant-General Solomon Makgale said.

Tshabalala (47) was found dead in his office at police headquarters in Pretoria on Tuesday. The cause of his death was not known.

Police said he died on Monday night.

"His invaluable contribution to effective and efficient service delivery within the South African Police Service [SAPS] during the past 19 years, as well as his loyalty, leadership and commitment to the SAPS will be remembered and honoured for many years more," national police commissioner Riah Phiyega said.

"He will be deeply missed by SAPS management, his colleagues and the members who have served under his leadership," said Phiyega.

Life
​Tshabalala was born in Soweto on January 9 1966. He joined the police on April 1 1994, and held the ranks of lieutenant and captain while attached to the presidential unit between 1994 and 1996, and was responsible for the unit's operational security planning.

In 2000, he was appointed head of major events planning with the rank of superintendent (now lieutenant-colonel), and in 2001 he was appointed to the rank of director (now brigadier) in the former VIP protection and static protection unit.

In 2002, he was appointed divisional commissioner of protection and security services, and in 2010 divisional commissioner of technology management services.

In 2012, he was made the inspectorate's divisional commissioner. – Sapa