Top domestic violence cops honoured

They’re young, dedicated and prepared to do everything to fight for those they feel are vulnerable and not strong enough to fight their own battles.

Together, police officers, Nelson Kealeboga Mondlane, Lindelani Rejoice Dladla and Zandile Mlaba, were paraded to the local media by their head, Col Israel Mdluli of the Katlehong Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, for their achievements in fighting domestic violence crimes against women and children.

Speaking to Kathorus MAIL about their role as crime fighters, the three Katlehong SAPS detectives described how they were drawn to the police services to protect and serve communities and their neighborhoods.

To date the trio has helped secure the convictions of several criminals charged with high-profile crimes such as rape, murder and domestic violence to several hundred years, including four life terms.

Dladla, started her career as a media liaison officer for the Zonkizizwe SAPS, and in 2014, she was transferred to the Family Violence, Child Protection, Sexual and Domestic Offences Unit in Katlehong where she says she finally found her footing as a police officer.

And with several high profile successful crime convictions, including the recent four life-terms, including a 15-year sentence for four rapes for a 21-year-old rapist, Dladla, told Kathorus MAIL that she has finally found her footing as a seasoned crime fighter with the unit.

Apart from chasing criminals and make sure that they serve time for their evil deeds, Dladla, is also involved in crime awareness campaigns at schools around Kathorus, where she speaks to learners about crime and safety.

“I am passionate about fighting Crime and I love working with the community,” explained the mother of two.

Detective Zandile Mlambo, a mother of three children aged, 14, 4 and 3, is also a dedicated female police officer whose joy revolves around fighting crime and making sure that criminals are convicted and spend time behind bars for their evil deeds.

Since she joined the police in 2007, Mlambo, has also investigated several high-profile domestic violence cases in which she perpetrators were convicted to long-term prison sentences.

Mlambo’s latest conviction was that of a 37-year-old rapist who was sentenced to 22 years for raping an eight-year-old girl in Eden Park.

And as a mother, Mlambo, believes crimes against children and women are often the worst forms of crimes as they involve the vulnerable victims who are in most instances are unable to defend themselves.

Meanwhile, the team’s male companion, Detective Kealeboga Nelson Mondlane, is not only a team-player in the fight against crime and domestic family violence.

He is also a “protector” to his female colleagues.

“I ensure that I accompany them when they want to effect an arrest, or with investigations where a perpetrator may want to ‘take chances’ because Dladla and Mlambo are female officers,” boasted the humble and soft spoken young male crime detective whose nine years in the police force has also seen him secure a number of long-term convictions.

“I enjoy fighting for the defenceless and vulnerable, especially those who cannot fight for themselves against criminals,” concluded Mondlane.