Col Phetole Mahasha was recently announced as acting station commander at Cleveland SAPS.
Mahasha has earned his place in the South African Police Service (SAPS).
He told the EXPRESS that the journey was long but he loved every part of it and also learned a lot along the way.
He started working for the SAPS in 1987.
“I started as a student police officer at Tzaneen SAPS. In 1988, I went to the SAPS Academy in Hammanskraal where I was trained,” he said.
After completing his police training, he was transferred to Jan Smuts Airport, now OR Tambo International Airport, where he worked as a crime prevention constable.
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“In 1991, I was promoted to the rank of a sergeant. I was then transferred to Johannesburg Central SAPS Crime Prevention. In 1996, I was promoted to the rank of warrant officer and in 2000 I was promoted to captain. I was transferred to Booysens SAPS as a relief commander in crime prevention. In 2009, I was appointed as station commander for Langlaagte SAPS,” he said.
He was promoted to colonel in 2016.
Prior to joining Cleveland SAPS, Mahasha was working at Hillbrow SAPS as a section commander in visible policing.
Mahasha said Cleveland SAPS currently faces challenges of high crime rates.
“We are dealing with the challenge of combating crime. Effective communication with the community is important and we want to create a working relationship with the community. The people must be able to access the station all the time.
“I plan to make sure there are enough resources in terms of vehicles to make sure we respond to calls and provide enough feedback to the community on cases that affect them.
“Above all, my strategic plans are to ensure that I build partnerships with the community in different sections and other role players in order to reduce crime. The station will work closely with the Cleveland Community Policing Forum, business forums and other stakeholders in order to ensure that crime is reduced,” he said.
Mahasha admitted that drugs remain a problem in the precinct.
He said he is concerned about drugs that have found its way into schools, streets and homes.
“Drugs are either killing our children or destroying their future. Addressing drugs is the responsibility of the entire community and not just the police. We need to join hands and take a stand against drug abuse.
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“It is unrealistic to expect the SAPS alone to maintain a safe environment without the community’s help. There is already increased police visibility in the area and we are mobilising our communities to be the eyes and ears of the police,” he said.
As a young boy, he always dreamed of becoming a police officer.
“I remember going to Pretoria on a school tour. On our way there, I saw a metro police officer diverting traffic. I knew from that moment that it was the kind of a job that I wanted to do. I feel that I have reached my dream.”
