Sergeant Mkhondo leads with integrity in Kempton Park

From a young age, Portia Mkhondo dreamed of serving and protecting her community.

That dream became a reality in 2007 when she joined the SAPS as a constable at Kempton Park Police Station.

Two years later, she moved to Johannesburg to join the National Mobile Train Unit (NMTU), where she continued her service.

Mkhondo has built an impressive career through dedication and continuous learning.

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She holds a diploma in policing from the University of South Africa (Unisa), studied public relations at Boston College, and is currently pursuing her degree in policing.

Over the years, she has worked across several units, including as a detective, in the Community Service Centre (CSC), social crime, gender-based violence, and as a domestic violence coordinator.

Today, she serves as the communications officer at Norkem Park SAPS.

“I have always believed in justice. I wanted a career where I could make a difference every day, whether assisting victims or maintaining peace. I love that I’m resilient and committed.

“No matter how difficult a situation is, I don’t give up easily. I also value my ability to treat people with respect and empathy, even under pressure,” she said.

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Mkhondo, now a sergeant, enjoys mentoring junior officers and helping them grow into their roles.

She believes in leading by example. While managing responsibilities and maintaining morale can be challenging, she sees these obstacles as opportunities to grow stronger.

“When I started this journey, I was passionate but still learning about the true demands of the role. Over time, the experiences, challenges, and responsibilities shaped me into a more disciplined, patient, and decisive person,” she said.

Mkhondo believes she has contributed positively to her community by prioritising engagement and problem-solving in policing.

“Being a sergeant has taught me how to balance enforcing discipline with empathy. I think I’ve helped to create a safer environment and build a stronger, more united team within SAPS.”

Although she once aspired to be a lawyer, financial challenges meant she had to put those studies aside.

Still, she remains committed to advancing her career through training and hopes to move into higher leadership roles in the future.
For Mkhondo, working with diverse communities has been both rewarding and challenging.

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“The good thing about working with people from different backgrounds is that it helps you grow, both personally and professionally, by improving communication and empathy skills. The challenge is that not everyone accepts certain laws or policing methods due to cultural or personal beliefs.”

“The community I want to see is one that is united, safe, and built on mutual respect between residents and law enforcement. My mission as a sergeant is to lead with integrity, professionalism, and compassion, ensuring the safety of the community,” she said.