AFTER 40 years of diligent police service, Pramodh Panday hung up his hat for his final day of service at Sydenham Police Station on Tuesday, November 2.

Panday worked in the Crime Prevention Unit at Pinetown Police Station from 1985 to 1997, where he was named as a Captain in 1994, and then he finished off his career as head of Supply Chain Management, spending 26 years at Sydenham Police Station.

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“Putting yourself in the line of duty as a police officer is not an easy job. I was almost killed twice in my career, but because I was committed to my role as an officer, whatever I went through only made me stronger. I had passion and zeal for my job; I can truly say I have police blood in me because I served my community for 40 years,” said Panday.

The 59-year-old said he trained at Wentworth Police College.
“We did hard labour, and we woke up at the crack of dawn, and they were very hard on us to prepare us for our service. Wentworth Police College was for Indian police officers in those years. We did six months of intense physical and disciplinary training. As an Indian man, in those days, you first complied and then complained – even when I started out in the police force, it took a while before I was promoted because of my race.”

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The father of two sons and a daughter said his police salary helped him bring up his children who are now all adults.
“I have one grandson from my daughter, and he is the light of my life. I plan to spend my retirement travelling and then spending time with my family. I have a very good family, and I look forward to having more time on my hands to give to them.”

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