Stock Theft Unit Captain mixes glamour with the grit
She is undaunted heading a unit which is very much a 'man's world' of long hours in unforgiving territory.
After 26 years in SAPS, Amanda Bezuidenhout, has honed the skill of mixing beauty and toughness into a fine art.
The glamorous Captain of the Glencoe Stock Theft Unit is much loved by the members of her squad, a unit which is very much a ‘man’s world’ of cattle, sheep and long hours searching for stolen animals and suspects in unforgiving territory. Yet Amanda seems to take it all in her stride.
Born in 1975, she completed her schooling at Empangeni High School and joined SAPS thereafter in 1994.
“I have a passion for serving the community and just love being in the SAPS. It is my calling,” she said.
Amanda is surrounded by SAPS members – her husband, Wayne is a Detective in Wasbank, her son, Llewellyn, is also a SAPS official while her sister, Naomi, is stationed with the Dundee SAPS.
Working as a detective for 23 years has given Amanda vast experience in both dealing with people and all kinds of situations.
In 2006, she had the experience of a lifetime when she was deployed in Sudan for six months, as part of an international peacekeeping effort.
Amanda also worked with the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in Dundee for about a year, until her transfer to the Stock Theft Unit about 10 years ago. An all-round police lady, Amanda is also a trained hostage situation negotiator.
Her first love is of course her husband Wayne, who enjoys playing golf, and her three children. When she is not working, Amanda relaxes and gets creative with interior decorating. But once she is back behind the desk, it is all about serving the community and in this case, especially stock owners.
ALSO READ: 58 head of cattle recovered by Stock Theft Units
HAVE YOUR SAY:
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at dundee.courier@caxton.co.za. Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394.
