Stephen Malatjie leaves SAPS with confidence in men and women in blue in Alex
ALEXANDRA – Malatjie said he was very confident that his colleagues will continue the good fight to get rid of stubborn crime and protect the community from criminals.
After 29 years of unbroken and loyal service in the South African Police Service, the Alexandra Police Station spokesman Captain Stephen Malatjie decided to hang up his blue gloves on 31 January this year to enjoy his pension with the family.
Malatjie who was born and raised in Alexandra joined the men in blue in March 1991. He described his tenure in the SAPS as a challenging road but worth walking.
He recalled how he joined the controversial SAP institution that was overshadowed by a lot of negativity at the time when the country’s political system was taking a turn, heading to the end of the apartheid government.
“I use to hate police officers before joining them in 1991 after working for 10 years in the private sector.
“There were two reasons I joined the police force – to help in the fight against crime in our communities and to make my offering to society. Those reasons kept me going even when I was facing death numerous times. I suffered multiple bullet wounds, fighting criminals that were terrorising people and robbing businesses in Johannesburg CBD and Alexandra.”
In 2003, after surviving six bullets in 1997, Malatjie was deployed to Alexandra Police Station to work with a group of officers tasked with bringing criminals that were terrorising community members to book.
“I was in a group that was deployed here in Alex in 2003 to help to fight the crime that was beyond control in the streets of the township. For me that was a dream come true, to work in the community that I grew up in. I knew every corner and things were going to be challenging but I kept my head up. I have served the community of Alexandra with dedication and with all my abilities helping in curbing crime.”
Malatjie said he was very confident that his colleagues will continue the good fight to eradicate stubborn crime and protect the community from criminals.
He also defended the institution from those who label it as a most corrupt public institution.
“I don’t deny that there are corrupt officers in our ranks but it’s just a handful. Members of the public should help authorities in the SAPS eliminate those rotten apples. The fight against crime is not only the responsibility of the police but the community members also have a huge role to play.”
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