HAILING from a generation of policemen, the new Visible Policing (Vispol) Commander at Richards Bay SAPS, Colonel Zethu Ngobese regards it an honour to be a civil servant, just as her late father was.
She has fond childhood memories of watching the military medal parades and drills, which took place at the KwaMashu Police Station, which was just a stone’s throw from her doorstep.
From Grade 8 she knew she wanted to be a police officer and this was from reading about stories in the police internal magazine and years of watching her dad serve the police force with such dedication and passion.
‘My father passed away just four days before I received my new appointment and promotion to rank of Colonel, but I know he is proud of me.
‘I believe being a police officer is not a career but a calling from God and there is a purpose for me to be in Richards Bay.
‘I will be heading up the crime prevention and visible policing and we work closely with social crime prevention at schools and in the community on aspects of domestic violence and crimes against women and children, which are crucial matters to the SAPS.’
Experienced
Ngobese has relocated from eThekwini where she was a Vispol Commander at Greenwood Park and is excited to be back in Zululand where she held the position of court orderly at Empangeni Magistrate’s Court a few years ago.
In her home city of eThekwini she was involved in setting up trauma centres and worked with many domestic violence related matters.
‘I also held a position as Communications Officer and used the local radio media in Durban to host crime prevention shows.
‘As a station commander at Newark Station I also acquired skills, experience and increased responsibilities.’
She is a mother of two daughters and enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two grandchildren.
