Detective shares his secret

Putting criminals behind bars is what gives him satisfaction.

Det-Const Phuti Mashabela was named Detective Employee of the Year at the Ekurhuleni Central Cluster Prestige Awards for 2016, on September 9.

Det-Const Phuti Mashabela was acknowledged as the Detective Employee of the Year at the Ekurhuleni Central Cluster Prestige Awards for 2016, held on September 9, at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre.

Mashabela, who is a detective at the Actonville Police Station, said the recognition was his proudest moment.

“I was overwhelmed but I knew I was going to win because I work very hard,” he said.

Mashabela started his career at the SAPS in 2008.

He was first placed at the Benoni Police Station, after his training.

He said detective programmes from television inspired him to become one.

“Solving cases and putting criminals behind bars gives me joy,” said Mashabela.

“I’m always proud when I serve justice to the victims.”

In 2011, Mashabela joined the Actonville SAPS as a detective, where he investigates all types of crimes.

One of the major cases he solved was a case of murder against a Wattville resident who shot his wife in the face – in front of her son – who was a minor, after accusing her of cheating.

The man was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in July, 2015.

He added that to be an excellent detective, you need to have a good relationship with prosecutors.

Mashabela is currently studying forensic and investigating auditing at the University of South Africa (Unisa).

He plans to solve more cases and bring justice to the people of Actonville.

Actonville SAPS station commander Col Fredl Jonck said Mashabela is very committed to have criminals locked up.

“He has been a detective for about five years and through those years he has solved murders, attempted murders, business robberies and kidnapping cases, were he has had convictions of more than 20 years in some of those cases,” said Jonck.