SAPS celebrates its women: Deputy Minister of Police, MS Polly Boshielo says she is ‘rolling up her sleeves’ in the fight against crime

Media Statement
South African Police Service

PRETORIA - Throughout the month of August, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has embarked on a series of profiles to celebrate women in policing and in particular female leaders within its ranks who are playing key leadership roles within the organisation to ensure a safer and secure country for all.

As women's month draws to a close, we introduce the nation to the recently appointed Deputy Minister of Police and Member of Parliament (MP), Honourable Polly Boshielo. DM Boshielo took up her new role in the Police Ministry in June 2024, following the establishment of South Africa's seventh democratic administration under the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Section 93(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa stipulates that Deputy Ministers appointed in terms of subsection (1) (b) are accountable to Parliament for the exercise of their powers and the performance of their functions.

As a Deputy Minister in the Police Ministry, DM Boshielo's role, alongside Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale, is to support the Minister of Police, Honourable Senzo Mchunu in the execution of his duties. A task DM Boshielo does not take lightly and says she is 'rolling up her sleeves' in the fight against crime.

DM Boshielo hails from Seshego, a township in Polokwane in the Limpopo province. Growing up, DM Boshielo always knew she was destined for a life in the political realm and matriculated at Mmakgabo High school in 1989. Her political leadership acumen led DM Boshielo to become a respected South African politician and a leader who served the country in various leadership positions, both in public and private sector.

This year, the country observes Women's Month under the theme "Celebrating 30 Year of Democracy Towards Women's Development". DM Boshielo is a sterling example of a woman in leadership that believes in continuous self-development and obtained the following academic achievements:

• Master's in Philosophy (MPhil) in Transport Studies (2018), University of Cape Town

• Master's in Business Administration (MBA) (2007), Turfloop Graduate School of Leadership, University of Limpopo

• Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) specialisation in Management (2004), University of South Africa

• Diploma in Road Transport (Passenger)(2000), then Rand Afrikaanse Universiteit

DM Boshielo is currently enrolled and studying towards a Doctorate's degree in Administration through the University of Limpopo.

Over the years, DM Boshielo also completed a number of additional qualification which include a Diploma in Office Administration, a Certificate in Personal and Team Effectiveness and a Certificate in Strategic Planning and Change Management.

DM Boshielo also went on to complete various other post graduate programmes amongst others; Executive Leadership Programme Certificate with the University of Cape Town (UCT), Senior Management Programme with the University of Pretoria (UP) as well as obtained a Project and Programme Management certificate with the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).

DM Boshielo says her political career started as an Administrator in the Office of the Secretariat in the African National Congress (ANC), Northern Province, before her appointment as the Head of the MEC's Office of Dr Aaron Motsoaledi from 1994 until 2007. She also served as General Manager in the Department of Roads and Transport responsible for public, freight and air transport.

Her leadership qualities and capabilities were recognised following her deployment to the National Assembly where she was sworn in as a Member of Parliament on 21 May 2014 and served until 5 June 2015. She was assigned to serve at the Auditor-General for Transport, Status of Women and Public Enterprises committees.

DM Boshielo was also appointed as the Speaker of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature from October 2015 to May 2019. Following the inauguration of the provincial government in 2019, she was then appointed an MEC for Education from May 2019 until June 2022, and then re-deployed to the Transport, Safety and Liaison portfolio as MEC until October 2022.

DM Boshielo was then deployed back to the Limpopo Provincial Legislature where she was appointed a Chairperson for Quality of Life and Status of Women, Youth and Disability portfolio from October 2022 until May 2024.

Prior to her political appointments, the Deputy Minister served in various senior positions in both public and private institutions such as the Chief Director: Strategy, Policy, Planning and Implementation of Provincial and Municipality Integrated Transport Plans at the Department of Roads and Transport (Limpopo) from November 2007 to April 2010, a Director at the MEC's Office, Department of Education in Limpopo from April 1994 to October 2007 as well as an Executive Manager, Business and Strategic planning for Translux and City to City at Autopax from May 2010 to May 2014.

She has also served in other significant national structures, which included serving as a board member of Gateway Airports Authority Limited (GAAL) from 2007 until 2010, including the National Executive Committee Member and Chairperson of Peace and Stability Sub-Committee in the African National Congress (ANC) from December 2022 up to date as well serving in the various structures of the African National Congress (ANC).

"As the Police Ministry our goal is this - to ensure South Africans and visitors to our country are safe and feel safe. Professionalism is key in ensuring services of a high standard are rendered to the communities our members of the South African Police Service serve," says DM Boshielo.

DM Polly Boshielo promises to plough her wealth of knowledge and experience into her new portfolio as the Deputy Minister of Police towards a safer environment for all.

Ends

Enquiries:
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe
082 040 8808

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/SAPoliceService
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAPoliceService
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sapoliceservice_za/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SAPoliceService
Website: www.saps.gov.za

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.