“The past five months as station commander in Edenvale have been some of the best months of my career.”
These are the words of recently promoted Brigadier Steven Moodley, who will be the new station commander for the Klerksdorp Police Station.
The official announcement of Moodley’s promotion was made on April 3.
“When my promotion was announced I felt elated and ecstatic,” said Moodley.
“Despite my joy, I am also feeling a bit sad to leave a lovely community like Edenvale.”
Moodley, who has 36 years of policing experience, spent 18 years of his career as a Colonel.
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During his time in Edenvale, Moodley restored the community’s faith in policing in the town.
Structures established by Moodley, such as the Edenvale Crime Summit, gained the full support of the community.
“When I first came to Edenvale the town was facing a number of challenges,” explained Moodley.
“Certain community members had personal agendas and were dictating what the police should do.”
He said the police felt obliged to listen to the community.
Moodley said although he is leaving Edenvale, the SAPS members will strive to continue assisting the community to the best of their ability.
“The hearts of the Edenvale SAPS members are in the right place,” said Moodley
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Until the Ekurhuleni North Cluster’s leadership has appointed a new station commander, Colonel Eunice Nzuza will fill the role of acting station commander.
Nzuza, who has been acting station commander several times before, believes she will be able to confidently implement the initiatives introduced by Moodley.
“When I first heard Moodley was coming to Edenvale, I was so happy,” said Nzuza.
“Now that he is leaving I am a bit sad but I am proud that he has been promoted to Brigadier.”
Moodley said the past few days have been quite emotional for him.
“I received phone calls from the community congratulating me on my promotion.”
Shortly before the announcement of his promotion, Moodley also hosted a meeting with role players from the community to emphasise the need for cohesive crime fighting in Edenvale.
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At the meeting held on March 27, Moodley identified the recognised crime fighting structures within the town.
He said crime fighting structures in Edenvale included the neighbourhood watch, sector crime forums, the Edenvale Community Police Forum and security companies.
“No one else can claim to be a crime fighting structure,” said Moodley
Moodley reported to Klerksdorp Police Station on April 9.
Throughout the two years that I have been an Edenvale journalist, I have seen four station commanders come and go.
During his short stay in Edenvale, Moodley and his team were able to change the community’s perception of the police in the town and reinstate the SAPS’ role in the community.
As a community journalist, I look forward to seeing the relationship between the SAPS and residents grow.
I hope that the station will build on the initiatives and structures implemented by Moodley and continue to grow from strength to strength – Stephan Lehman.
