Brakpan detective hangs up his hat

After 32 years of dedicated service to the public, Warrant Officer Mzwakhe Mthethwa, a detective at Brakpan SAPS, is calling it a day.

The 55-year-old Geluksdal resident spent his last official day at the station on Monday and is looking forward to enjoying early retirement. Mthethwa joined the police in 1992 and was first stationed in Heidelberg.

He joined Brakpan SAPS in 1997, where he worked in the Client Service Centre (charge office) and then joined the Crime Prevention Unit team.

In 2005, he was deployed to Katlehong, and was appointed a detective the same year. He returned to Brakpan SAPS in 2006.

There are a variety of different roles within the detective services, and Mthethwa previously worked in tracing, fingerprint investigations and tracking down wanted persons before settling into a position he is most passionate about – missing persons.

“It’s just in my heart. I would pray for someone when I looked for them. It is extremely rewarding to finalise these cases and reunite missing loved ones with family,” he said.

“Working on missing persons was definitely a calling. God gave me this job.”

Mthethwa told the Brakpan Herald he ensured all his dockets were finalised before his last day of work.

“The minute you receive a docket, you must love it and give it all your attention. You have to be passionate,” he said.

A case he will never forget was one that garnered national attention. It even received a mention from President Cyril Ramaphosa during a Covid-19 lockdown ‘family meeting’ where the scourge of gender-based violence was highlighted.

It was the case of 79-year-old Loraine Davie, who was smothered by her son Robert while she slept. He then disposed of her body in a drum of cement.

“It was initially a missing persons case and it was my case,” said Mthethwa.

Loraine was reported missing by Robert on June 4, 2020. Her body was found in the drum at her Taft Avenue home a few days later. The outcome devastated Mthethwa.

“It’s just something that stays with you, and it’s the worst part of the job,” said Mthethwa.

Robert was sentenced in January 2022 and imprisoned. Looking to the future, Mthethwa intends to focus more of his time and energy into another one of his passions – the church.

Ordained in 2010, he is a pastor at the Bright International Church in Soweto.

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“I will have lots to keep me busy. There are church conferences and night vigils. I’m very involved with the church,” said Mthethwa.

“I also want to spend more time with my children, and especially my granddaughter (10).”

Mthethwa added he will always make himself available to assist the police.

“If they need me, I’m always willing to help,” he said.

He concluded by stating he is proud to have been of service to the country and the community of Brakpan.

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