The sky’s the limit for Ermelo station commander

Col Winnie Mavusu, station commander, Ermelo Police is an example that anything can be achieved through hard work and determination.

She grew up on a farm near Amsterdam and opted to walk 25 km daily to get to school rather than missing out on an education.

Her dream of becoming a teacher was soon crushed, as her parents could not afford to send her to university.

This did not deter the young girl who knew at an early age that she was destined for bigger things, so she joined the police service in 1992.

The young recruiting officer, then stationed in Mayflower, began studying for her National Policing Diploma and as a result was promoted to sergeant in 1996.

She then married and moved to Ermelo.

While studying, Col Mavusu realised the importance of community policing (CPO) and requested to be transferred to the CPO. There she learned that policing is impossible without the involvement of the community.
She made an effort to understand the community and adapt to its needs. Another important lesson she learned was the importance of transparency.

It was in 2002 that her managerial career took off. She was promoted to captain and became station commander at Morgenzon.

This came as a great surprise, but it was a challenge she was ready to accept.

The colonel found it a great learning curve, but she managed to create a good working relationship and win the support of each member regardless of gender, race or religion.

She also learned to be a leader and to encourage team spirit and realised the importance of leading by example.

During this time she again made use of the opportunities offered by the service and studied for her B-Tech degree. In 2005 she was promoted to the senior position of lieutenant-colonel and transferred to Piet Retief as Vispol commander, managing the front line.

Six months later she was transferred to Bethal as station commander.

Her children were still young and in 2007 she applied to be transferred back to Ermelo to be closer to them.

This was short-lived as she was needed elsewhere. Four years later she was promoted to the rank of colonel and resumed
duties in Piet Retief as station commander.

In 2014 she transferred back to Ermelo as station commander.

Her office walls bear testimony to hard work with accolades received from the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison for, among others, best performing police station and best performing female station commander.

Although these accolades rank as one of the highlights and greatest honour of her career so far, she refuses to take credit and commends her team that played a big part in her successes.

“I’m privileged to have a supporting team with members that understand one another. Together we always manage to come up with joint solutions.”

Col Mavusu admits that it wasn’t always easy to balance work and family life, a challenge she’s still facing today.

She says her success would not have been possible without the unconditional support of her husband and three kids that always understood the dynamics of her career.

She has strong Christian beliefs and says that everything she achieved so far happened because it’s Gods will.

She also believes that the sky is the limit and she’s ready to face any new challenge, whether it involves promotion or deployment.

Her message in this month of celebrating women is for women in the community to empower themselves and not allow circumstances to rob them of greater things.

She also urges those that are already empowered to take responsibility and to help others wherever the Lord has placed them.

So, whether it’s Women’s Month or not, this policewoman must continue to serve and protect.

One of her concerns is the increase in property crime, house-breaking and theft out of motor vehicles.

She urges the community to take responsibility for their property and put preventative measures in place.

“Do not become easy targets,” she warns.

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