Captain Lesiba Makgoe is retiring after serving in the South African Police Force for 35 years and seven months.
Makgoe came to the force on 30 December 1981 with a Grade 8 pass and the will to protect his community.
He started off at Sandton Police Station where he was able to study at the police college and graduated in 1982.
“I was able to finish my matric while working for the police and ultimately found my home in Linden,” said Makgoe.
Since 1986, this captain has been protecting and serving the community the best way he knows how – with respect.
He explained that prior to 1994, there was a lot of discipline and respect between the community and the police.
“The police respected themselves. I wanted to work for the police because when I was young, I didn’t like to see someone being hurt.”
Makgoe will retire on 28 July at the age of 60.
“If it wasn’t for my illnesses and if I was fit as a fiddle, I would love to stay with the police but all our time must come to an end at some point.”
His reason for staying so committed was “for the love of my colleagues and my community”. He talked about the lack of promotions during the previous administration and how that changed with the new one. “Having unions really helped the police with complaints and how to deal with horrific crime scenes.”
The worst part of his career was in 2006 when a suspect attacked his colleague in the holding cells.
“He tried to escape and I had to shoot him. He died, he was the only person I have ever had to kill. It was and has been the most difficult thing I have had to deal with.”
But for the most part, it has been his community that has kept him happy. Makgoe was sector manager for Sector 3 – during that time he fell very sick. The community collected money to buy him an expensive pen. “It was a gift I could never afford, that day the community showed me love.”
Debbie Hanekom, Sector 3 chairperson said, “On behalf of Linden Police Station management, the Linden Community Policing Forum, the Sector 3 community and the greater Linden policing precinct, we would like to thank Captain Makgae for his wisdom, guidance, commitment and dedication to our community. We wish him well in the next chapter of his life. Salute Captain!”
Makgoe will retire with his wife and five grandchildren in Limpopo – and hopefully with some cattle too.
“I will miss Johannesburg and how close everything is but mostly I will miss joking with my colleagues. People feel better when you are able to make them smile.
“If I was a very, very rich man I would pay for every policeman to have a home, so maybe in the next life I can make that happen.”
For breaking and community news, visit Johannesburg North West’s websites:
To become a member of our WhatsApp community, send your name and surname to 079 439 5345.
