He is widely known as the action man in the Jeppe SAPS Sector One area.
Some even call him the people’s cop.
But few know that the station’s Sector One manager, Sergeant Maluse Patrick Tefu, despite being a man of action, has a large heart when it comes to his mother whom he holds in high regard.
“My mother is a loving, religious mother. She taught me many things, especially discipline,” said Sgt Tefu.
Sgt Tefu comes from Moutse West in Limpopo. He started schooling at Matatadibeng Primary and he finished at Tlhakanang Secondary School.
He is now completing his diploma in law policing with Unisa.
He said being a police officer has always been his dream career.
“I wanted to play my role in fighting crime. I was also influenced by my uncle, Mr King George Tefu, who was also a police officer. He was a dedicated police officer who was respected by his colleagues and his community. He arrested killers and robbers in our community. I wanted to follow in his footsteps,” said Sgt Tefu.
He joined the Jeppe SAPS in 2003, after completing his training at the police training collage in Pretoria.
He said he worked as a social crime coordinator, a field training officer and now as a sector manager. He also completed task force training, among other things, since he joined the SAPS.
Sgt Tefu said that during his time off he goes to the hot-spots to observe how criminals operate.
He said this habit has helped him solve different cases, including ATM card criminals, theft of motor vehicles and drug operations.
He said working together with the community is important for police officers.
“Police, without the community, are nothing. We need a collaboration between the police and the community. Criminals come from the community. We live with them. Some are the children of, or family members of, law abiding citizens. They know their family members are committing crime. If they can come forward we will be able to fight and conquer crime in our area,” he said.
Sgt Tefu said 2005 was a year in which he felt his life was more under threat than any other time.
“My colleague, Constable Mabena, and I received a call about a robbery that was in progress in Troyville. When we arrived we found a traumatised family helper outside. She could not give us the details, only saying the robbery was still continuing. We entered the double storey house and found a strong man threatening the home owner with a gun. When he saw us he became vicious. We nearly lost our lives there. There was an exchange of fire but we ended up arresting him. He was later sentenced to 24 years in prison,” said Sgt Tefu.
Sgt Tefu has urged the community to call the emergency numbers when they are in need.
“I give out my numbers to the residents during the meetings and I am in many social networks where I interact with the community on crime issues,” he said.
The Jeppe SAPS sector vehicle numbers are:
- Sector one – 071 675 6020/1.
- Sector two – 071 675 6022/3.
- Sector three – 071 675 6024/5.
- Sector four – 071 675 6026/7.
