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Within the next nine months, the Newcastle Police Station will be bidding farewell to Brigadier Mvuleni Sangweni who is set to retire in 2023.
Responding to the Newcastillian News enquiry, KwaZulu-Natal Spokesperson for the SAPS, Lieutenant Nqobile Gwala, confirmed that Brigadier Sangweni, who took on the role of Station Commander on 2 August 2022, has decided to retire and bid farewell to the police.
Set to spend more time with his loved ones in the upcoming year, the Newcastle Brigadier pointed out that he has been with the SAPS for the past 35 years, and is going to miss his career when the day finally comes for him to step down. However, he explained, “Retirement is the last thing on my mind at the moment. I am still intensely focused on my duties and will only probably think about my pension two or so days before the time.”
Furthermore and discussing the current, the Brigadier highlighted that his determination to see his team reduce crime was still a priority. He further assured that plans are being set up to deal with the most problematic crimes plaguing Newcastle.
“We are also focusing on setting up plans for the festive season, to ensure that residents are safe when they go shopping.” However, Brigadier Sangweni did highlight that community members needed to know that combating crime did not lay solely on the shoulders of the local police.
“The community needs to understand that the police are not responsible for the fight against crime by themselves. There is a misconception that the police do nothing, due to a lack of knowledge of how we operate and the current laws of South Africa. Also, we face a challenge where there is a lack of cooperation from the public, where they will see a crime take place and don’t come forward to give the necessary information to the police,” he emphasised.
With this in mind, he stressed that the police were always there for the community, but the public needed to support the police.
Dedicating himself fully to his final nine months within the police, Brigadier Sangweni once again affirmed that he was going to miss it.
“I have really enjoyed the challenges, as these challenges have made me a better and stronger person. Also, I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the community. Working at the SAPS is more than a job, it becomes a career and a way of life for police officers.”
Closing off, Brigadier Sangweni assured the Newcastle community that he would remain dedicated to them in the final months of his career.
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