The Herald got an unexpected history and culture lesson while visiting the Bekkersdal Police Station commander for the first time.
Colonel Mbangwa Nkhwashu told the Herald his story of joining the police force, which brought back his childhood memories.
Nkhwashu was born in 1964, which would make him 52 years old. His identity document, however, states he was born in 1966, making him 54 years old.
Back then, if you weren’t born in a hospital, your date of birth would not be recorded correctly because your parents would have to go far to register you,” he said.
He added you first were a shepherd and would be older than seven before eventually start attending school.
Ironically, the police was not his first choice of employer because it was associated with being stupid at the time. He wanted to be a clerk and also worked as a teacher before signing up.
His two brothers who already were in the force made him apply. When he learned he was accepted, he made a dash because he neither took the application seriously nor did he think he’d be accepted.
“Back then, if you signed up for the police and got accepted you had to go. If you didn’t, they would arrest you and jail you for six months,” he said jokingly.
Needless to say, the now station commander was dragged into the police kicking and screaming.
“After I did my training, I fell in love with the police. I found myself married to the job.
Thinking about it now, I would have liked to be a teacher but I’m a strict man and the police is more in line with my character than teaching,” Nkhwashu said
Since 1986 Nkhwashu has worked his way up to his current position and has worked as a detective since 1989.
From 2012 to 2014 he was a detective commander at the Westonaria Police. Thereafter, he was deployed by his principals to be the station commander of the Bekkersdal Police.
He said considering his attitude when signing up he never would have thought he would be in the position he is today.
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Also read:
New R’fontein Police station commander: I’m here as a servant
Westonaria’s new Station Commander in town
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