Police officers of the Makhado precinct gathered at the station hall on 13 July to bid farewell to their station commander, Brigadier Nyelisani Mabatha, who is leaving for Gauteng to take up the position of station commissioner at the Kagiso Police Station in Krugersdorp.
Mabatha, who has been serving in the police force for 28 years, has worked at various police stations around the province over the years, such as Waterval, Tshilwavhusiku, Tshaulu, as well as the Waterberg, Thabazimbi, and Lephalale areas before being appointed as station commander of the Makhado SAPS in 2016.
During the event, Detective Warrant Officer Bethuel Makananisa said that Mabatha's contributions to quality public policing in the Makhado SAPS would always be remembered, and that they would all miss her. He mentioned that other police members should be inspired by Mabatha, who always pursued further studies to expand her knowledge. "Police members should take pride in their profession and the work they are doing." He urged his fellow police officers to work hard to further their studies as well, to restore the dignity of their profession.
The chairperson of rural safety in Louis Trichardt, Mr. Renier Fourie, expressed sadness at Mabatha's departure but also happiness for the opportunity to work with her. "It has been an absolute pleasure working with Mabatha. Her absence will be deeply felt," he said.
Mabatha appealed to members of the community and stakeholders in the Makhado policing area to continue working closely with the police in the fight against crime. "I will miss this town. I have spent a lot of time here over the past eight years, although I did not live here. What I will miss the most is the diversity of this town, my colleagues, and the interaction with different stakeholders who have become such an integral part of my life. The diverse cultural interaction has been great! I encourage continued teamwork and good service delivery from each and every member who worked under my supervision," she said.