Goodbye gun, hello fishing rod
Lieutenant Colonel André Brits bids farewell to the Westonaria Police after 42 years of stellar service.
After 42 years of service Lieutenant Colonel André Brits is trading his badge and gun for gumboots and a fishing rod.
André, 60, will be retiring from the South African Police Service on Wednesday, 31 May.
He joined the police during a time when they accepted men as young as 16. He was 17 at the time. He finished his matric shortly after in Potchefstroom and went straight to the Police College. He is the only one in his family who became a police officer. The reason he joined is that he wanted to help people.
Even today, if I can help at least one person, I’m happy,” André said.
While originally from Klerksdorp, his journey as a police officer started at the Ventersdorp Police Station. After a short while he moved to the Venterskroon Police Station, which is now known as the Buffelshoek Police Station.
He has since worked at the Carltonville, Fochville, Bekkersdal and Westonaria Police Stations.
“In my early days we didn’t stay at a police station long – maybe five years – then they moved us,” he reminisced.
He currently lives in Carletonville and has two daughters. Both have pigeon pairs. He said he looks forward to spending more time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Other than family time he said he is going to spend the rest of his days doing what he loves – fishing. “I officially retire on 31 May and on 1 June, I’m going to Transkei for my first fishing trip as a retiree,” he said.
Colonel Selvan Moonsamy, the Westonaria Police station commander said André retiring is a great loss to the police but he has given his employer 42 years of stellar service. “I wish him all the best for his life away from the police. He will be missed but we are all glad for him,” Moonsamy said.
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