The much-loved head of the Ehlanzeni Police Diving Unit, Captain Johan ‘Pottie’ Potgieter, will once again be honoured for bravery. His team’s efforts have consistently resulted in life-saving operations and, in the most dire cases, the recovery of those lost to rivers and dams.

Mpumalanga MEC for the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL) Jackie Macie invited Potgieter and his team to the department’s budget speech, scheduled to take place in the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature tomorrow, June 18.

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“You and your team are invited to the department’s budget speech. You must dress up and come. People will know who these brave police divers are on that day and you will be honoured for your selfless efforts,” Macie said. He encouraged the team to recruit more divers to secure the future of the unit.

Back: Captain Pottie and Joey Potgieter, Sergeant Hunter Nyakane, and Constable Hendrik du Toit.
Front: Inkosi TB Mthethwa, MEC Jackie Macie and Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi. > Photo: Riot Hlatshwayo

Potgieter is affectionately known in the Lowveld as Sbali – which means ‘brother-in-law’ – due to his command of isiSwati, a language that is widely spoken in the region.

He was previously recognised internationally following the daring airlifting of a four-metre crocodile from the Komati River that had consumed human remains in May. This was the result of a search for a 59-year-old businessman whose vehicle was found abandoned and partially washed off of a low-water bridge in the area.

Captain Pottie Potgieter and a crocodile being airlifted via helicopter. > Photo: Supplied/Pottie Potgieter

Sbali and his team suspected that a crocodile that had remained stationary for four days had recently consumed something big. The crocodile was euthanised and Sbali was hoisted, tethered to a SANParks helicopter, to retrieve the carcass from a crocodile-infestedlocation. He managed to secure the euthanised crocodile with a rope before he and it were airlifted to a spot where the operation could continue safely.

Police and forensic teams recovered human remains from the crocodile’s stomach, confirming the suspicions of the diving unit.

Captain Pottie Potgieter and a crocodile being airlifted via helicopter. > Photo: Supplied/Pottie Potgieter

The story was widely reported by international news outlets. The acting national commissioner of the SAPS, Lieutenant Colonel Puleng Dimpane,praised Potgieter as a hero for doing something considered to be far beyond the call of duty. Macie and the Mpumalanga acting police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, also acknowledged his bravery during the release of the provincial fourth-quarter crime statistics in Mbombela on Monday, June 8.

“We are very grateful for this recognition. To all the police officers, keep doing your best and you will be acknowledged for your hard work,” said Potgieter.

Sbali’s team includes his wife, Joey Potgieter, Constable Hendrik du Toit and Sergeant Hunter Nyakane.