K9 officers put fear in criminals’ hearts
“These are women who make sacrifices and continue serving the SAPS with honour and pride. They are our heroines,” said Limpopo SAPS spokesman, Col Moatshe Ngoepe.
BURGERSFORT – This year, two female SAPS unit commanders from Sekhukhune were honoured for their sterling work.
The two have proudly served the SAPS for over two decades and have been working with dogs for almost 13 years.
“These are women who make sacrifices and continue serving the SAPS with honour and pride. They are our heroines,” said Limpopo SAPS spokesman, Col Moatshe Ngoepe.
WO Mmashela Shirley Mere (49) is among the top cops in Limpopo. She is stationed at Burgersfort SAPS. Mere joined the SAPS in 2001 and like most of her colleagues, she worked at various sections of the police service until she joined the SAPS Modimolle K9 Unit in 2008. Shortly after that, she moved to Mahwelereng with the rank of sergeant.
In 2009, she was promoted to a rank of WO and is also the commander of the Burgersfort K9 Unit.
“I like working with the Belgium shepherds because they are always active and can cope in all weather conditions. I enjoy being with the K9 unit,” Mere said.
She is not the only women doing wonders in a male-dominated sector.
WO Neo Mojalefa (45), attached to the SAPS Masemola, joined the SAPS in 2001 and worked in various components until she joined the K9 unit in 2007 with the rank of sergeant. Originally from Praktiseer, she was promoted to a rank of WO after 10 years to lead the Masemola K9 Unit.
She once simultaneously handled explosives and fire detector dogs. “I obtained my bachelor’s degree in policing in 2016. My favourite dog is a border collie as they are smart and friendly.”
Ngoepe said there are 12 K9 units in Limpopo and all the members have received specialised training in handling and training dogs, dealing with explosives, detection, narcotics detection, patrol and tracking. “Mere and Mojalefa are the best in their sector. They are the only two female SAPS unit commanders in the province.”
Both the women told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that they were inspired to join the K9 unit by their love of dogs and the fact that one becomes a multitasker and can assess and tackle various situations. “This is a broad unit with 11 disciplines, and provides more knowledge with crime investigation and crime combating.”
The two explained that they owe their long-lasting friendship to mutual dedication and respect for others. It’s not a surprise they both scooped second place during the national inspection on management of police dogs and facilities in 2019.
Recently the brave women followed information about a reported stolen motor vehicle while patrolling at Tubatse Crossing Mall.
They managed to apprehend the suspect and recover the VW Polo reported stolen in Pretoria.
The two heroines concluded, “Be proud of what you have achieved. Let the achievements of those who went before you inspire you to unlock your strength and motivate you to make a difference in your work, family and community”.
