Police officers on the West Rand bid farewell to 21 of their colleagues, who have either already bowed out or will retire soon, at a glittering event held at Mount Usambara Conference and Wedding Venue recently.
Those who were honoured served the South African Police Service (SAPS) from across the district including Hekpoort, Krugersdorp, Roodepoort, Randfontein and Westonaria areas with pride since 1981. Some worked for either the K9 patrol unit while others were appointed Vispol (Visible Policing) Operational Commander and even Commander of the Provincial Hostage Negotiation Team among others.
West Rand District Police Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Lloyd Khumalo said in his speech that the journey which the retiring officers have traveled don’t only reflect on them as they put their swords down, but to all, especially to the leadership.
He also praised West Rand District Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana for having members leave the service still alive and well and he also thanked their families for their support throughout their careers.
Major Kekana then wished the members well and advised them to spend time with their loved ones and take care of themselves.
He also encouraged them to advise their colleagues who are still in the service not to lose focus and know what is expected of them.
Personnel going on retirement are as follows:
• Colonel NA Netshitangane was appointed in the police on 1986-04-02. During his career he worked at Orlando SAPS, Protea SAPS, Vaal Rand Area Commissioner, Kliptown SAPS, Carletonville SAPS, Khutsong SAPS, Westonaria SAPS, Kagiso SAPS and is presently the West Rand District Vispol Coordinator. He retired on September 30 this year.
• Lieutenant Colonel A Gasa was appointed in the police on 1988-03-21. During his career he worked at North West Provincial Commissioners office, K9 Patrol Unit, PES, Mounted Unit Crime Prevention, 10111 Midrand K9 Unit in Carletonville and is presently the Operational Support Commander at Carletonville SAPS. He retired on September 30 this year.
• Lieutenant Colonel AR Thomson was appointed in the police on 1981-01-13. During his career he worked at Swartruggens SAPS, Rustenburg SAPS, Zeerust SAPS, Carletonville SAPS, Khutsong SAPS and is presently the IMC Commander at Carletonville Saps. The Officer is also the Commander of the Provincial Hostage Negotiation Team. He will retire on 31 December this year.
• Lieutenant Colonel MT Zwane was appointed in the police on 1988-03-09. During his career he worked at Mondeor SAPS, Krugersdorp SAPS, Hekpoort SAPS and was the Vispol Operational Support Commander at Randfontein SAPS before retiring. The officer retired on August 31.
• Captain FE Daswa was appointed in the police on 1986-04-21. During his career he worked at Moroka SAPS, Jabulani SAPS and was a Vispol Operational Commander at Kagiso SAPS before retiring. The officer retired on July 31.
• Captain JW Very was appointed in the police on 1990-11-12. During her career she worked at Blinkpan SAPS, Carletonville SAPS, Rustenburg SAPS, West Rand Area, Krugersdorp SAPS and worked at Admin Services at Kagiso SAPS before retiring. The officer retired on July 31.
• Captain TT Bvuma was appointed in the police on 1985-10-01. During his career he worked at Sanab Unit, Johannesburg Central SAPS and is presently a Group Leader at the Krugersdorp FCS Unit. The officer retired on September 30.
• Warrant Officer EM Rakauoane was appointed in the police on 1987-08-17. During his career he worked at Krugersdorp SAPS and he is currently a Shift Commander at Tarlton SAPS. The member will retire on November 30.
• Warrant Officer HD Rhangani was appointed in the police on 1988-02-12. During his career he worked at Katlehong SAPS, Germiston SAPS, Florida SAPS and worked in the Client Service Centre at Kagiso SAPS before retiring. The member retired on May 31.
• Warrant Officer RJ Misapitso was appointed in the police on 1989-05-27. During his career he worked at Fochville SAPS and was the Designated Police Officer at Fochville SAPS before retiring. The member retired on April 30.
• Senior Admin Clerk EJ Swartz was appointed in the police on 1994-04-18. During her career she worked at Roodepoort SAPS, and is currently working as a Personnel Practitioner at Tarlton SAPS. The member will retire on November 30.
The are those members who opted for early retirement, they were:
• Colonel M Prinsloo was appointed in the police on 1985-10-28. During her career she worked at Carletonville SAPS, Personnel Management at Area West Rand, Carletonville Vispol and is presently the Station Commander of Khutsong Police Station. The officer retired on September 30.
• Lieutenant Colonel M Lombard was appointed in the police on 1985-04-18. During her career she worked at the Welkom District Office, Paarl District Office, Boland Area Commissioners Office, Virginia SAPS and the Officer is presently the Admin Commander at Krugersdorp SAPS. The officer retired on September 30.
• Captain NR Likhavha was appointed in the police on 1985-10-21. During his career he worked at Moroka SAPS, Kliptown Internal Investigation Unit, Protea SAPS, and worked as a detective at Kagiso SAPS before retiring. The officer retired on June 30.
• Captain KL Mashiane was appointed in the police on 1986-02-10. During her career she worked at Carletonville SAPS, Khutsong SAPS, Carletonville FCS and the Officer is presently working as a detective at Khutsong SAPS. The officer will retire on December 31.
• Captain NJ Theunissen was appointed in the police on 1986-12-29. During his career he worked at Soweto POP, Soweto Flying Squad, Protea Flying Squad, Randfontein SAPS. The Officer is presently the Designated Police Officer at Randfontein SAPS. The officer retired on September 30.
• Captain CC Botha was appointed in the police on 1985-01-01. During his career he worked at Protection Services, Mokopane SAPS, Regional Commissioner Northern Transvaal RIOT, Provincial Comm Limpopo RIOT, Polokwane CIS, Polokwane Internal Security, Polokwane SAPS, Mecklenburg SAPS, Westonaria SAPS. The Officer is presently a detective at Westonaria SAPS. The officer will retire on December 31.
• Captain E Theunissen was appointed in the police on 1986-01-03. During her career she worked at the Regional Commissioner Witwatersrand, Regional Commissioner Soweto, District Commissioner Soweto, Randfontein SAPS, Lenasia SAPS. The Officer is presently the HRM Commander at Westonaria SAPS. The officer will retire on December 31.
• Warrant Officer MN Motsamai was appointed in the police on 1987-04-02. During his career he worked at Randfontein SAPS, Khutsong SAPS. The member was a detective at Khutsong SAPS before retiring. The member retired on June 30.
• Warrant Officer MP Mahafha was appointed in the police on 1987-06-23. During his career he worked at Westonaria SAPS. The member was a Operations Commander at Westonaria SAPS before retiring. The member retired on June 30.
• Warrant Officer N Mazizi was appointed in the police on 1986-09-15. During his career he worked at Krugersdorp SAPS, Westonaria SAPS, Bekkersdal SAPS. The member presently is a Operations Commander at Bekkersdal SAPS. The member will retire on December 31.
