SAPS Commemorates Women’s Month by Spotlighting Lt Gen Lillian Mene

Appointed on December 1, 2021, Mene oversees 199 police stations and various specialized units in the province.

As South Africa prepares to celebrate Women's Day, the South African Police Service (SAPS) is highlighting the contributions of its women officers, focusing on Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Lillian Mene, the Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape. Appointed on December 1, 2021, Mene oversees 199 police stations and various specialized units in the province.

With a career spanning 40 years, Mene has demonstrated unwavering dedication and leadership within SAPS. She began her service in 1984 as a Constable at New Brighton SAPS and has worked her way up through various roles, including serving as Station Commander at seven different stations across the Eastern and Western Cape.

Her career milestones include being promoted to Major General in 2016 as the cluster commander of the Worcester Cluster and later serving as Acting Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Support Services in the Western Cape. Mene's leadership in the Eastern Cape has led to notable achievements in enhancing gender equality and operational success.

Under her command, significant progress has been made in empowering women within the police force, with over 40% of women appointed as commanders in the province, including two of her deputies.

Recent achievements under her leadership include:

Cash-in-Transit (CIT) Robberies: The province has arrested more than 20 suspects involved in CIT robberies and recently thwarted a CIT heist. In a recent operation, five suspects were killed, and three were arrested, with some stolen money recovered.

Operation Shanela: This operation resulted in over 72,000 arrests, the confiscation of 2,230 unlicensed firearms, and 28,000 rounds of ammunition.

Drug Seizures: Drugs valued at more than R2 million were seized in East London.

Sentencing: During the 2023/24 financial year, 109 life sentences were secured for 103 suspects, including a serial rapist in Gqeberha who received seven life sentences.

Lieutenant General Mene attributes her success to hard work and dedication, emphasizing the importance of earning back public trust and confidence in SAPS. "It is only through action that we will be able to win back the trust and confidence in SAPS. We must continue to work hard to serve and protect our communities," she says.

Mene's leadership reflects the commitment of SAPS to enhance gender equity and operational effectiveness, contributing significantly to the safety and security of communities in the Eastern Cape.