Lieutenant Colonel Sussan Mathebule has no fear to tackle crime.
The police officer of 24 years is Edenvale’s new head of detectives for the Edenvale SAPS.
This comes after Colonel Ben Baloyi was transferred to the Tembisa South Police Station.
While head of detectives in Edenvale, Mathebule hopes to make a difference by catching criminals.
In order to do this Mathebule said she needs the assistance of the community so that the SAPS and the community can work together to fight crime.
“At the recent CPF meeting I could see that the community is on our side. I am glad to see that,” added Mathebule.
For Mathebule, the passion for fighting crime began while she was in high school in Wattville.
When students were asked what careers they wanted when they left school, Mathebule would always reply that she wanted to be a police officer.
“The reason I became a police officer was because I don’t like crime and I fell in love with the uniform,” explained Mathebule. She added that her family also played a role in her decision to be a police officer. Mathebule’s uncle, nephew and brother in-law are all in the police service.
Over the years Mathebule has made a number of convictions but she still remembers her first one.
She said that after she became a detective at Etwatwa Police Station in 2000, she convicted a man for the possession of stolen picture frames. The man was convicted for 32 years in prison.
“When I got my first conviction I was very excited and even got a certificate. Both my station commander and my branch commander were impressed with me,” said a smiling Mathebule. She added that all her previous commanders speak highly of her.
From Etwatwa, Mathebule was transferred to Norkem Park, then to Kempton Park and finally to Edenvale.
Although she has only been in Edenvale for two weeks, Mathebule said she has already noticed a difference in the type of crimes which occur in Edenvale compared to Kempton Park.
She explained that Kempton Park has a lot of drug-related crime while Edenvale has to deal with more thefts out of motor vehicles and fraud-related crimes.
When Mathebule puts her badge and gun down for the day she spends it mostly with her three children and her family.
She explained that even though she is a police officer it is important for her to make time for her family so that they can bond.
However the community can rest safe.
Even if Mathebule is off duty and she sees a crime committed Mathebule said she will intervene and try stop the criminals.
Mathebule said she is happy to be in Edenvale and was welcomed by the SAPS officers at the station.
“Although I am new in Edenvale the criminals must watch out. I will do my job to the best of my ability and will make many convictions,” said Mathebule.
