Dubazane retires after 30 years

AFTER 30 years of dedicating his life to the police industry and serving the Pinetown community, Lt/Col Mandla Dubazane has retired.

Lt/Col Dubazane worked for private companies as a plant operator, laboratory assistant and creditors clerk before joining the police force in 1985.

“The main reason I joined the police force was to assist in fighting the crime, which was on the rise. I started working at Pinetown police as a constable then moved to the Pinetown Magistrates’ Court, where I did admin work after one of my superiors at that time saw that I could manage and organise things.

“After I passed my first year diploma in 1991 I was promoted to a sergeant and worked at a police station which was next to the taxi ranks in the Pinetown CBD.”

In 1996, Dubazane was promoted to captain and moved back to Pinetown SAPS when the Pinetown CBD police station closed. In 2006, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel, where he was in charge of the overall day-to-day duties at the charge office.

“If there were any complaints, I attended to them and worked closely with the Pinetown CPF.” He said policing is a long-term career and young police officers should behave well and respect their work.

“Education is important and it gives you confidence, as most of the time we work closely with lawyers. There are courses in the industry that police can take to sharpen their knowledge and stay on top of their game, as the system is always changing.”

Dubazane said although there were challenges, he managed them and enjoyed his time in the police industry. He said what he loved the most was seeing people who he mentored grow and climb the ladder.

Dubazane, who is husband and father of two boys, said he had worked hard in the past and deserves to rest and relax at home with his family.