Col Mabote says a safer Mokopane is his top priority
Newly appointed Mokopane Police Station commander Colonel Lesiba Lucas Mabote said the police cannot fight crime alone and need the community's involvement.
MOKOPANE – Colonel Lesiba Lucas Mabote recently took up the position of Mokopane Police Station commander, and says a safer town is his top priority.
“I am here to work with the community to help reduce crime in Mokopane, to ensure a safer town where residents feel secure,” he told Bosveld during an interview this week.
Mabote was born and raised in Lephalale at Dubs village and matriculated at Tayatsoalwa High School in 1985.
He started his career as a teacher in Lephalale before joining the police in 1990.
His journey as a police officer started in Hammanskraal, from where he moved to Limpopo.
From Sekhukhune’s Nebo Police Station to the position of station commander, first at the Witpoort, and later at Tom Burke.
He later served in Lephalale as captain and later as support commander.
He met his wife, Mavis, at the Mahwelereng Police Station. She is the head of the crime intelligence in the district, and the couple has three children.
He says the journey through Limpopo has prepared him for the position he now holds.
“I’ve travelled a lot, but if your manager tells you to go to a specific place to help, you go. The main priority is to assist the community so that they can feel free and secure, and to protect their property.”
Discovering his passion as a police officer also required him to be introspective.
“The moment I decided to join the police I realised that to be a good police officer, you have to enjoy what you do and you have to live that passion. In any career, you must grow to achieve your dream, you must be a person who leaves a legacy, and you must be a role model in the community. You have to show the light.”
To be an example among colleagues, he says, is another virtue to be cherished.
“You must be professional and disciplined, cool, calm and collected. If a citizen comes to me with a problem, I want them to be happy, and the problems solved when they leave here. I want them to say they have been assisted.”
His vision for the residents of and visitors to Mokopane, is to experience the area as a safe destination.
This, he says, requires the input and assistance from all role-players.
“The police cannot fight the battle alone, but if we take hands we can fight crime together. The community is our eyes and ears. Know that I am here for you, my door is open. All of us have the same vision, and that is to reduce crime.”
