Sergeant Maurice Nkhwashu joined the Tzaneen SAPS in April and officially started his duties towards the end of May. Letaba Herald got a chance to talk to the new spokesperson to find out more about him and his aims with the new position. Sergeant Nkhwashu told Herald that he was born in Roodeport, Gauteng but raised in Burgersdorp, Tzaneen.
He received his primary school education at Ntwanano Primary School until grade four, and continued from grade five at Timangeni Primary School.
He then started high school at Khataza High School and matriculated there.
He holds a senior teaching diploma from Tivumbeni College of Education, and has been in the police for 14 years. “I have a passion for helping people, which is why I studied teaching. It was the same passion that led me to joining the South African Police Services,” he explained.
With the aim of helping to keep people well informed with the accurate details, Sergeant Nkhwashu stated that he is never satisfied with “ordinary results” which drives him to seek better ways to be a helping hand in the community.
His career highlights include makig arrests and also being able to see to it that justice is served to people who are in the wrong.
The challenges he faces are dealing with people and communities who don’t understand how the justice system works also dealing with communities and individuals who are resistant to working with the police to help put criminals behind bars. “I strive to get people to understand how we work as the SAPS and this cannot be done without people being open to understanding. Trusted relationship with the police can help eradicate so much crime. I hope I can reach out to as many people and communities as possible,” he exclaimed.
Sergeant Nkhwashu and his team are currently planning an awareness campaign on crime this coming Youth Day.
This initiative will take the form of a sports tournament around the Bolobedu South area, with men’s soccer, ladies soccer and netball. The tournament will take place at the Relela Sports Ground on Sunday, June 16 at 09:00.
