Meet the Bekkersdal SAPS Station Commander

A tough and disciplined station commander who is hands-on and leading by example by day yet a soft, delicate mother at home by night.

These are the caps proudly worn by Colonel Phumelele Matamela who is the Bekkersdal Police’s Station Commander.

The Herald recently got the opportunity to sit down with her and pick her brain, just to find out who is the woman behind the station commander.

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She is a mother of two, a boy, 24, and a girl, 13. She is also a grandmother to a 3-year-old toddler who sometimes keeps her hands full when visiting.

Despite the hectic days that come with the job, Matamela makes sure to make time for her children, who she holds dear to her heart.

“Much as we’ve got a busy schedule as police officers, I enjoy being a mother and spending time with my children. I also enjoy going out with them and the little opportunity I get, I make sure that I take them out on vacations,” said Matamela who added that she loves cruising and that’s where she relaxes.

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According to her, she has taken on some of her children’s hobbies, just to make sure that she accommodates them and makes up for lost time. This is in the form of baking, which is something Matamela said she didn’t enjoy previously.

“My daughter loves baking and I tend to do what she is doing just to make her happy. I was never a baker but of late I am enjoying it. I also love assisting with homework where time permits. I also adjust to their level as youngsters time and again but I also make sure that I maintain a certain level of respect and instill discipline, “said Matamela.

She also said that she generally has a soft spot for her children and can be sometimes as soft as a mink.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Matamela has been in the force for 28 years. She has been the commander at the Bekkersdal SAPS for almost three years, but the role is not new to her, as she previously occupied the same position at the Fochville SAPS.

Speaking about her work, Matamela said she has always had a passion for what she is doing.

“I had a passion and wanted to contribute to my community and when the opportunity presented itself, I was glad to be appointed as a police officer and I’m happy to be here,” she added.

Previous to this, Matamela worked as a shift worker, Operational Commander, and was also involved in visible policing.

Asked about the challenging aspect of her job, Matamela said it wasn’t always easy getting the buy-in from community members when it comes to fighting crime.

“As a Station Commander and as a police officer I’ve got a constitutional obligation the reduction of crime. We need to be frank, crime is a problem, and it needs to be reduced that’s where we sometimes encounter challenges in terms of residents because we do not operate in silos.

“Getting the buy-in from the community can sometimes be very challenging. Some people still believe that crime prevention is the sole responsibility of the police and this is not always the case. There are situations where some crimes need the public’s engagement,” Matamela concluded, adding that she will not give up in the fight against crime.