Sadness as hard-working Sunnyside police officer bows out
Lieutenant-Colonel Jabulani Mahlangu was not only known for arresting suspected criminals but also police officers suspected of misbehaving in the Sunnyside policing precinct.
The retirement of Lieutenant-Colonel Jabulani Mahlangu, one of the toughest cops in the city, was met with sadness by Sunnyside residents and fellow police officers.
A farewell function was held at the Rondawel Hall in the north of Pretoria on Friday.
Addressing the gathering during the 60-year-old’s farewell function, Sunnyside police station commander Brigadier Matshidiso Kgoadi said it was an honour for her to read the biography of Mahlangu.
“In most cases, we celebrate or talk about the lives of the people who add value to society or read their biographies when they are in a coffin,” Kgoadi said.
She said she was happy to celebrate the life of Mahlangu in his presence, saying that he had been one of the lucky policemen who made retirement.
Sunnyside police spokesperson Captain Daniel Mavimbela praised Mahlangu for his good work at the Sunnyside police station – describing him as a gallant fighter and a stalwart.
Mavimbela said since joining the Sunnyside police station as the spokesperson in the past five years, he had heard the people talking about the good work that Mahlangu was doing in the policing precinct.
“He would clean up Robert Sobukwe Street, formally known as Esselen Street, on his own,” he said, adding that the minute Mahlangu set his foot on Robert Sobukwe, criminals would disappear.
Colonel Alfred Muliwa revealed that Mahlangu had been feared by the police from other stations as well.
Muliwa said when he was still a commander at Garsfontein police station, he heard that Mahlangu, who was a captain then, was arresting officers who were suspected of misbehaving in the Sunnyside policing precinct.
He said that even police who were not misbehaving were afraid of being arrested when visiting Sunnyside without a clear explanation.
“We used to tell one another that there was a captain in Sunnyside who arrest you if you do not know where you are going in Sunnyside.”
Sunnyside CPF secretary Samuel Boshego said Mahlangu was one of the best at the station.
“His retirement will leave a big void as he saved the community with excellence.”
He said Mahlangu served the community with dignity and pride.
“Community members are happy that Mahlangu is retiring because several police officers do not have the opportunity to retire. In the same breath, the community members are deeply saddened by his retirement.”
He said Mahlangu’s efforts in combating crime made community members feel they had been robbed of “something irreplaceable.”
“His departure has left us with a grieving heart and we wish he could have served a bit longer.”
Mahlangu said he did not regret serving in the police for the past 34 years.
“I loved my job, it is sad to see myself retiring,” Mahlangu said,
“If I could have things my way, I wouldn’t retire.”
Mahlangu joined the police as a Constable in October 1987. In December 1991, he was promoted to Sergeant and in July 1995, to Warrant Officer.
In July 1996, he became an Inspector. In February 2002, he was promoted to Captain; in December 2004, to Superintendent and in April 2010, he became Lieutenant-Colonel.
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