A hallmark moment for newly appointed Hawks brigadier in Mpumalanga

Even now, after nearly 40 years’ service as a policeman, one thing that still gives him goosebumps is when he arrests a suspect.

This is but one of the many highlights in his career as a thoroughbred policeman, says Brigadier Danie Hall, the newly appointed provincial commander for serious corruption investigation at the Mpumalanga Hawks.

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He proved his stringent value as a police officer on his first day as a new brigadier on Tuesday June 4 when he arrested one of their own for allegedly taking a bribe from a crime lord.

Hall started his career only days after he completed his matric at Hoërskool Piet Retief in 1984.

“I didn’t even have a chance to enjoy my last Christmas as a civilian, as I was sworn in as a rookie on December 22,” Hall told Lowvelder.

The other highlight of his career was when he got the surprise of his life when he was appointed as a brigadier on Monday evening.

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“I was sitting at my guest house when our commander, Major General Nico Gerber, called to say I must come into the office for an urgent teams meeting. What caught me off guard was when I was told to bring a tie along. I thought nothing of it and left for work without a tie. When I arrived at the Hawks head office in Stats House, Henshall Street, I was surprised to see all the other Hawks brigadiers in the office. I thought it must be an ordinary crime stats meeting,” he said.

It was only when the meeting started that he realised the meeting was indeed to be held with the national commissioner of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), better known as the Hawks, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya.

“He told us this will be a short meeting as he had two important announcements to make. ‘Congratulations, Colonel Hall, you are now a brigadier.’ I was shocked. I was trembling in my boots. I could not believe the words that was echoing through my ears,” he said.

He says it seemed like everybody knew about his promotion except him.

“It was only when General Gerber handed me my appointment letter, and a bottle of champagne was popped, that the message struck home. I am so grateful and thankful to my Creator and Lord for the blessings He gave me throughout my career. Although I did not expect this promotion, I am a believer that when Jesus opens a door for you, no one will be able to close it.”

After joining the police in 1984 and completing his training, he was posted as a detective constable at the SAPS branch in Hillbrow, working for the murder and robbery squad.

He later moved on to Ermelo and Secunda, where he got involved in serious and violent crimes with the Hawks.

He was later transferred to Middelburg as commander of the corruption investigation unit.

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During his career, he participated in some of the biggest crime-busting investigations and projects in the country.

Some of his proudest moments were when he received the Mpumalanga DPCI award for the Best Project Investigation Team in 2023, only to be awarded the National DPCI Project Team of the Year later on.

Both of these awards were for the success he and his team had achieved in Project Blood Orange, a specialised project to curb organised crime in rhino poaching.

“Do the best you can every day. No case is too small or too big not to give it your all. This is my philosophy in being a good crime-fighter. And this is what I teach my members every day,” Hall said.

A keen golfer with a 15/16 handicap, Hall is married to Wanda.

The couple have two daughters, Melissa Aucamp and Lucinda de Villiers. They have four grandchildren, Cinda Lee, Leah, Lisa and Ewan.