Captain Johan ‘Pottie’ Potgieter, the widely respected head of the Ehlanzeni Police Diving Unit in Mbombela, is set to receive yet another honour for his bravery and dedication to saving lives, reports Lowvelder.

Under Potgieter’s leadership, the unit has built a reputation for conducting difficult rescue operations across Mpumalanga, often recovering victims from rivers and dams in some of the province’s most challenging conditions.

Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison Jackie Macie has invited Potgieter and his team to the department’s budget speech at the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature today (June 18), where they will be recognised for their service.

“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 also encouraged the team to recruit more divers to ensure the future sustainability of the unit.

The Lowveld’s Sbali

Potgieter is affectionately known throughout the Lowveld as Sbali, meaning ‘brother-in-law,’ because of his fluency in isiSwati, which is widely spoken in the region.

He previously gained international attention following the dramatic recovery operation involving a four-metre crocodile in the Komati River in May.

The reptile was suspected of having consumed human remains during the search for a 59-year-old businessman whose vehicle had been found abandoned and partially washed off a low-water bridge.

Potgieter and his team became suspicious after observing a crocodile that had remained stationary for four days, suggesting it had recently consumed a large meal.

The animal was euthanised and Potgieter was hoisted beneath a SANParks helicopter into a crocodile-infested area to retrieve the carcass.

He secured the crocodile with a rope before both were airlifted to a safer location, where the operation could continue.

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

The operation attracted widespread international media attention. Acting national police commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane praised Potgieter as a hero for going far beyond the call of duty.

Macie and Mpumalanga acting police commissioner Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi also acknowledged his bravery during the release of the province’s fourth-quarter crime statistics in Mbombela last week Monday (June 8).

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