Captain Ditjutle Molepo, who works as a detective commander at Parkview Police Station, said his passion for being a detective motivated him to work after hours to solve crimes.
Molepo has worked in the police for 26 years, 23 as a detective.
“I enjoy investigation in terms of solving crimes that have occurred and bringing perpetrators to book and securing convictions,” said Molepo
He added that while manpower and resources were a constant challenge to the police, doing the best with the resources available assisted in solving crimes. “I go out of my way to ensure success, even if it means working late and on weekends.”
Molepo’s responsibilities at the station involve managing two groups of detectives who work to solve violent crimes (such as armed robbery, murder and common robberies) and unnatural deaths (including culpable homicides, suicides and death as a result of an accident).
“The community must support us by reporting all crimes to the police. We are often criticised by the community. It is paramount that crimes are reported because we are not on every street corner.”
Molepo cited a series of hijacking incidents in Bramley where he arrested young suspects who had terrorised the community for some time and were now serving 28 years behind bars, as arrests that brought him much satisfaction.
The spokesperson for the Parkview Police Station Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said, “Captain Molepo is a committed group leader. Two members from his group won the award for best detective member of the year at last year’s Joburg East Cluster awards. He is always going out of his way to help community members.”
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