Why I chose to become a police officer

Meet Sergeant Letty Molathlegi, 42, who was promoted at the Bekkersdal Police recently. She has pledged herself to fighting and rooting out crime in the community.

Also read: Bekkersdal police officers promoted to higher ranks

Born and raised in Mohlakeng, Molathlegi said she has been an officer of the law since 2010 and has honoured her commitment not only to fighting crime, but educating people about its consequences.

For me it’s not just about moving from being a constable to a sergeant, but it’s a huge recognition by the management that I play a bigger role, and I’m very proud of this development,” Molatlhegi said.

She started as a reservist in 2003 because she wanted to be part of a crime-fighting team through Randfontein Police, and in 2010 she was officially appointed as a constable. Until today, she has not given up on her dream to clean the streets.

She said growing up, and having the right mentors, the spirit of always fighting for the community was instilled in her, and now she wants to warn young boys and girls who are on the verge of trouble to reconsider.

She’s very passionate about educating people about avoiding crime and to bear in mind that crime doesn’t pay; in fact, it can destroy a person’s life. “We can’t have young people ending up in jail and coming back with criminal records.

Those kids will forever be held back, and they will not live to their full potential. That has to stop, because we have the responsibility of building a nation where young people don’t look for crime to solve their problems, and that starts with us telling them that crime is bad,” Molatlhegi said.

She said she really aspires to growing in the police – not just going through the ranks, but actually making a difference, maintaining the integrity of the South African Police Service.