Brakpan SAPS bids farewell to retiring officers
The four are looking forward to life after law enforcement.
“Policing will always be in our blood.”
This is a statement unanimously agreed upon by a group of Brakpan SAPS members as they recall their lengthy and accomplished careers fighting crime.
With a combined service period spanning over 150 years, Brakpan police will be losing four experienced and dedicated officers to retirement at the end of this month, including the captain at the helm.
The station will bid farewell to Brigadier Fredl Jonk, Lieutenant Colonel Sifiso Madlala, Warrant Officer Jan Stoltz and Lieutenant Colonel Peet van der Schyff. It is bittersweet milestone for the men in blue. While excited for the future, it is clear they will miss their jobs.
Jonck (58), who has been Brakpan’s station commander since 2017, will leave on June 29 with 40 years of service under his belt and a career that has come full circle – he started as a constable in Brakpan on the same date in 1984.
This wasn’t his first time in the hot seat at Brakpan SAPS and he previously served as the local station commander from 2004 to 2005.
His other station commander post was at Actonville SAPS. He was also stationed at the Springs and Katlehong police stations.
Jonck will probably be remembered best for not sitting in his office all day. When there were no meetings or crime discussions in which to participate, the brigadier was out on patrols or visiting crime scenes.
The community’s relationship with the police also flourished under his leadership. In addition, the Brakpan SAPS raked in numerous awards and accolades during Jonck’s tenure, most notably Station of the Year at the 2018 Gauteng SAPS Annual Excellence Awards.
“I know I’m going to miss it a lot. I’ve made a lot of friends in Brakpan and have always had lots of support,” he said.
When asked if he would do it all over again, Jonck doesn’t hesitate with his response.
“I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve definitely enjoyed my career,” he said.
His immediate retirement plans include spending quality time with his family; wife Chanelle and daughter Vinnae (8).
Madlala (58), group commander of the detective branch, joined the Brakpan SAPS in 2011. The Crystal Park resident has been a police officer for 36 years, and started his career at Benoni SAPS in 1988.
The following year, he started honing his skills at the Murder and Robbery Unit in Germiston. As a detective, the most satisfying part of his job is securing good convictions.
Questioned about career highlights, he cites there are many but one is particularly memorable – a killer receiving 25 years in a case Madlala oversaw as the investigating officer.
His skills and diligent work have ensured criminals are brought to book, and he is proud to have played a part in removing lawbreakers from society.
Madlala plans to remain active after retiring and hopes to continue working with the police, whether through the CPF or other structures.
“I will first be travelling, just to wind down after all these years, and I want to spend time with my family,” he said.
“I will always miss Brakpan, it’s a great place to be.”
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Stoltz, or “Stolla” as he is known to many, has the longest unbroken service at the station. The 55-year-old has been stationed in Brakpan, and only Brakpan, since 1987.
With 37 years of policing experience, Stoltz has been the Sector Two manager and rural safety coordinator for the past eight years.
“With rural safety, there were daily visits to plots and farms to help with any issues like stock theft. I’d also have regular meetings with the transport companies in those areas and assist them with any problems,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time in the police. I would do it all over again. Brakpan is a unique town, and the people I worked with are genuine. You can’t get better. We are like a big family.”
The Brenthurst resident is now looking forward to concentrating on his hobbies and will also be travelling.
“I have lots to keep me busy; remote control helicopters, trains, motorbikes. I have a motorbike trip to the Cape planned.”
Stoltz added he will continue to attend the monthly rural safety meetings and will still be involved with the CPF.
Van der Schyff (57), from the station’s Crime Information Management and Analysis Centre, joined the Brakpan police in 1986.
He spent two years at the Child Protection Unit in Germiston before returning to Brakpan in 1989, where he has remained since.
Van der Schyff is eagerly awaiting some quiet time at home. He is married to Heidi, also a retired police officer, who left the SAPS in 2019 after 30 years of service.
She held the rank of lieutenant-colonel and was also stationed in Brakpan. The couple worked together for decades.
“For the first three months of retirement, I’m going to do nothing. Then I’ll go camping. I enjoy gardening and landscaping, so then I’ll do some of that,” he laughed.
Reflecting on his 38 years of service, the Brenthurst resident told the Herald he has seen all the horrors the town has to offer.
He referenced several cases he will never forget, among them the rape and murder of four-year-old Jasmin-Lee Pretorius in December 2013.
“There are just so many, but there’s also been great work with good successes and arrests resulting in lifelong sentences,” he said, adding that offenders often hold grudges against police officers.
After all his years of service, Van der Schyff still feels great empathy for victims of crime.
“You see the trauma and you do feel for them. And being in a small town, it’s usually people you know,” he said.
Just like his colleagues, he too wouldn’t change his choice of career.
“I would do it over for sure,” he confirmed.
The Herald asked Jonck if he had any advise for his successor, to which he replied, “A station commander must know how to treat people.
“You need to respect the community. We are here to serve and there are good people working here.
“If you keep things going, there won’t be any problems. The relationship between us and the community must remain healthy.
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“Crime will always be here, no station can completely eradicate crime. People must be alert and work with the SAPS.
“Good luck and all of the best. A good foundation is being handed over, just take care of it.”
Jonck concluded by thanking all stakeholders, including the media, and other role players who have shown their support over the years.
“Please continue to support the police,” he appealed.
The acting station commander will be Colonel Eugene Scheepers, who joined the station as the detective branch commander in March last year.
