And he says he feels great about his new appointment and is looking forward to the challenge and opportunity to grow.
“I started working for the SAPS in October 1990, in Springs at the Noqai Building, as a constable in the crime prevention unit and in 1992 I was transferred to KwaThema.
“This job has always been a calling for me as I joined the police service out of interest because of the things happening around me.
“I wanted to assist the police in the fight against crime and I wanted to serve the community, and I am still going strong.
“I have also worked in social crime prevention in KwaThema for a very long time, have worked closely with the Community Policing Forum (CPF) and also served at the community service centre till my current appointment,” he says.
Over the years Mphali has moved up from being a constable to lance sergeant, sergeant and now warrant officer.
He says that as the community lacks trust in the police, this new position comes with the challenge for him to build positive relationships between the police, community, CPF and the different sectors.
“We need to open the lines of communication between the residents and the police because sometimes our community members know who the criminals are in their areas but they don’t feel free to come forward and speak up.
“And as the police, we cannot work alone, we need the community in order to fight crime, while there is also a need to educate them about the need for street committees, the CPF, patrollers and sectors.
“The more the community gets involved in the fight against crime, the more crime can decrease,” he says.
