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Pinetown veteran detective retires

As he prepares for his well-deserved retirement, Colonel Jackson Moodley will be missed as he went beyond the call of duty. He reunited families, brought criminals to justice and inspired with compassion.

DESPITE high-profile cases, Lieutenant Colonel Jackson Moodley remained humble and dedicated, often receiving standing ovations for his commitment and bravery.

After 41 years of service, the veteran detective is retiring.

Moodley said he always knew that he wanted to take a career in a public service which is the reason he applied with the police straight after matric.

Growing up, the top crime detective said they were taught about giving back and being a police officer was a perfect industry as he committed himself to getting justice for victims of crime.

“Victims of crime go through so much trauma, it is very rewarding to solve and win the case. The satisfaction and smile from the victims reassures me that I made a good decision 41 years ago.”

Now that he is retiring, Moodley said with a sigh, “It is a bittersweet moment.”

Not new to the media for his detective skills, Moodley has made a huge impact in the field as he had tackled and won big cases in his career.

As someone who went beyond the call of duty and most times reported to duty at early dawn, Moodley said he will catch up on his sleep.

“I will take a long rest before I decide what I will do in my retirement. Being a police officer was my life,” he said.

Moodley started off as a student. “I did a basic six months training, I was stationed at Malvern SAPS, six years later they were looking for police to train under the public order police. The members who signed up were sent for training and stationed at a camp in Dassenhoek.”

After a few years, he was promoted to a sergeant and worked at Port Shepstone.

From there he was stationed at Mariannhill SAPS where he worked as a warrant officer.

“There was a problem of murder cases and I joined the detective team. It was a new environment – at first it was a bit challenging but very interesting.

“I was intrigued and put in extra hours and one of the touching moments was receiving a standing ovation in court when I brought in a criminal that was wanted for murder.”

In 1997, he was appointed at Pinetown SAPS.

As the Detective Service Commander of the Detective Crime Room, Pinetown SAPS communications officer, Jennifer Naidu, said the lieutenant colonel will leave an indelible mark on the fight against crime.

“Under his leadership, the detective service has solved numerous complex cases, including murder, kidnapping, and missing persons, with perpetrators always receiving conviction and at times life sentences.”

Going over and beyond

His mantra, ‘every case is personal, and every victim deserves closure’ has been a driving force behind his tireless efforts.

Moodley has worked on high profile cases, including the Sanele May case which made headlines in 2013.

The Swazi-born truck driver was at the wheel of a truck that killed 24 people.

He also solved the mystery case of a businessman who murdered a homeless man to fake his own death. The businessman had life insurance of nearly R6 million.

Moodley said one of the most touching stories he worked on was of a baby that was kidnapped in Pinetown while coming from the hospital.

“The kidnapper had befriended the mother from the hospital. We worked for hours with that case and the mother went through a terrible ordeal, pleading with us to find her baby.

“The parents even went to traditional healers and were told that the baby was used for muthi.”

After a three-week investigation, the baby was found.

“The woman who stole the baby had claimed that she was pregnant and people in the community did not suspect a thing as she faked the pregnancy.

“The biological mother of the baby was ecstatic to be reunited with her baby, she gratefully held on to me for a long time,” he said.

As he reflect on his remarkable career, the humble detective said he would like to acknowledge the sacrifices made by his loved ones.

“Being in the police 24/7 wasn’t easy on my family, but I want to thank them for their unwavering support and understanding. They’ve been my rock throughout my journey, and I’m grateful for their love and sacrifices,” he said.

His team describes him as a father figure, teaching them dedication, compassion, and justice.

“His impact on the SAPS and the community will be deeply felt, and his commitment to justice will never be forgotten. Moodley has been our rock, our shield, and inspiration. We will miss him dearly, but continue to build on the foundation he laid,” said the team.

As commander of the Detective Crime Room, Moodley led a team of 12 members, providing unwavering support and compassion.

“He was more than just a commander – a shield and protection, always willing to go the extra mile for his team’s well-being and success,” said station commander, Brigadier Leon Matthysen.

He mentioned that the SAPS bids farewell to an exceptional officer and true icon in the fight against crime.

“Lieutenant Colonel Moodley’s expertise, passion, and commitment to justice have inspired us to strive for a safer, more just society.”

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Sanelisiwe Tsinde

My name is Sanelisiwe Tsinde, and I'm a mother of two boys and very family-oriented. Being a community journalist for years, I can proudly say I love writing about positive community news articles and giving a voice to the voiceless. Seeing people getting assistance warms my heart. Every day is a different challenge and a new learning opportunity. I supply news for our trusted publication weekly, and a few years ago, Caxton ventured into online publication, so I contribute daily to the websites. I could say I am a multimedia journalist, and working in a community newspaper is beneficial as we do not focus on one thing but we do a bit of everything.

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