By Teboho Moloi
BLOEMFONTEIN – National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has appointed Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia as the new Free State provincial police commissioner, signalling a leadership reset in the fight against crime.
Lesia’s appointment, announced on Monday, fills the vacancy left by the retirement of former commissioner Lt Gen Baile Motswenyane.
Promoted from Major General, Lesia brings nearly four decades of policing experience, having joined the service as a student constable in 1986.
A career detective, he rose through the ranks as a station commander in Virginia and Thabong, cluster commander in Mangaung, and later provincial head of organised crime.
He has served as deputy provincial commissioner since 2019.
Masemola thanked Motswenyane for her leadership, saying she had steered the province through critical periods.
Lesia said his priorities are clear: crush drug networks, enforce professional policing, intensify the fight against gender-based violence, and dismantle organised crime syndicates.
