Police bid farewell to Col Abel Phetla

The telephone has not stopped ringing on Wednesday 21 June for Col Abel Phetla, Bela-Bela police station commander, for two reasons:

One, he celebrates his 60th birthday on the day; and two, he will be officially retiring from active service at the end of June.

Looking back on 36 years of being a police officer, Die Pos paid him a visit in his office one final time to obtain a last interview.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the Spitskop area, where I finished my primary and secondary schooling. Immediately after school, I joined the National Police Force. I became an active member in 1987 in the old Lebowa area in Limpopo.

What was the first case you attended?

It was a dealing in drugs case where I made the arrest. In those days dagga (cannabis) was still a scarce commodity and very expensive to buy. The man I arrested, was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment. It was a different time and despite the Apartheid years coming to an end, I was never treated differently from my colleagues. We had a job to do and all of us worked well together.

What was your most memorable case?

When I was still head of the detective branch in Bela-Bela (somewhere around 2016) Sgt Frans Sekgobela and I were sent to investigate a murder case in the Northam area. People were killed because of their ethnicity in the mining area. There was no rhyme or reason.

We arrested more than 21 suspects of which six were issued two life sentences each by the High Court in Lephalale. I remember the judge and the prosecutor complimenting us for doing a proper investigation. It was the first time that a court handed down a sentence that dealt with suspects that were found guilty of inciting public violence.

How did you stay sane throughout the years?

I took an oath to provide service to the public in order for them to have peace of mind and to know that somebody is there looking out for their safety. I hope my successor will do the same and will always put service delivery before personal feelings.

There was no formal pathology service before 1994. The investigating officer was always charged to be present, with the designated medical doctor, during autopsies at the mortuary after suspects or victims were killed. I guess doing that for so long, helped me to handle traumatic events better than others.

Nowadays we are referred to psychiatrists and social workers for evaluation and it does help. Because the pathology unit takes care of these procedures today, officers are less exposed to these traumatic events.

You have a good memory recalling cases, how do you do it?

When I see a case number, I will remember the details. I guess it comes naturally to me, to remember big cases or to recall cases in meetings. It is very useful to have a good memory.

Although, I can’t recall that I have not answered my cellphone. The only times, when it is turned off, is during court cases and in meetings. I will return calls as soon as possible.

My staff knows they can come into my office whenever they want, sometimes it is official business, other times they come to seek advice and even to ask a favor. Sometimes my answer is no.

Did you ever receive death threats?

Of course. Those that I can recall, happened during taxi violence and tribal matters. Luckily, I was never attacked. Mostly I would simply tell these people: “It’s fine, we’ll see who shoots who first. You can come. But most of them are in jail or have passed on.”

I remember when we investigated a case in Mamelodi and surrounded a house with a suspect inside. We had to involve the Mamelodi Police, but they were afraid of that specific suspect because he had a reputation for killing members in blue.

When we found the house, I took an R5 automatic rifle and told the team to stand by. I fired at the roof rapidly. My team broke through and arrested the suspect naked under his bed; right next to his loaded gun. We took him to the Bela-Bela station just as we found him. There is a reward for being fearless.

Do you have any hobbies?

I love watching sports, especially soccer, boxing and rugby. Col Johan Bezuidenhout convinced me to start watching rugby and I am grateful to him because I love it! I look at the bulky, fit sportsman and wonder how is it possible that they can run so fast. I am an avid Sundowns Soccer Club supporter. For exercise I play soccer and have competed in boxing matches in Gauteng when I was younger.

Tell me about your family.

I am married to my wife, Elizabeth. We were married in 1990 in Nebo. I have five girls and one boy. Luckily, they listened to me growing up and never became police officers. I see them regularly on weekends. All of them went to university and they are professionals in their own trade. I am very proud of them.

What will you do when you retire?

We will see because I will consult with the family first, but I would love to go into Real Estate.

Where do you see the Bela-Bela police in the future?

I served a diverse community. I can honestly tell you that we have very few officers and resources at our station today. If it wasn’t for the people I worked with at the community safety forums, farm watches, neighborhood watches, and private security, the police service would not have been able to keep the area safe in our own. I am very thankful to every person who volunteered and was available to serve on a safety forum.

To my successor: We have already done the groundwork. Maintain the existing safety structures and help the public to prevent crime. To my staff: The successor must look after their well-being and refer them if help is needed. The workload is intense and is increasing and causing stress. No one can work alone; we work as a team. Find ways so that the work is done to the benefit of all.