Commander bids farewell to SAPS Vhembe District
Colonel Rakhadani honoured for 40 years of dedicated SAPS service, leaving a legacy of excellence in policing and community leadership.
LIMPOPO – The outgoing Visible Policing (Vispol) commander of the SAPS Vhembe district, Colonel Rudzani Patricia Rakhadani, was celebrated by well-wishers from the rural village of Matavhela in Mutale last week, as hundreds gathered to honour her at River View Lodge near Nandoni Dam.
After nearly 40 years of dedicated service, Rakhadani, who joined the police force at just 18 years of age in January 1984, bid farewell to a distinguished career that began with the former Venda National Force (VNF) and culminated in her role with the police. Reflecting on her career, she shared her passion for protecting citizens and promoting crime awareness, visible policing, and the importance of advising communities to stay away from crime.
The celebration was a blend of joy and tributes, featuring a lively performance by the ‘Madress team’, led by sergeants Felicia Tshikosi and Nditsheni Mutswaletswale, the 2024 Queen and King of Vhembe District. Miss South Africa Disability Queen 2024, Mathilda Mamatseane, praised Rakhadani for founding the SAPS beauty pageant in the district. The ceremonial cutting of the retirement cake symbolised the passing of the baton, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
Rakhadani reflected on the core values that guided her career – discipline, loyalty, and respect for family, colleagues, and the community. She encouraged the younger generation to pursue their dreams with perseverance, regardless of the challenges they might face.
Her farewell was more than just a retirement celebration; it was a recognition of her contributions to policing and community service.
The event was attended by police members from various levels of command, traditional leaders, representatives from the district municipality, the University of Venda, community policing forums, and other local organisations.
Among the tributes, the former provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Sengani, shared a heartfelt memory of mentoring Rakhadani early in her career.
Vhembe district commissioner, Major General Eddie van der Walt praised her exceptional leadership, while the provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, lauded Rakhadani’s ability to organise key events and ceremonies with grace and her ability to foster unity within the service.
Rakhadani’s career, which began at the Sibasa Training College, spanned numerous leadership roles, including station commander positions in areas such as Alldays, Tshamutumbu, Tshaulu, Malamulele, and Phalaborwa.
Her appointment as Vispol Commander for the Vhembe District in 2022 marked the pinnacle of her career.
Over the years, she earned many accolades, including recognition as the first female area communicator and several awards for her outstanding performance in crime prevention and station leadership.
Beyond her professional achievements, Rakhadani made lasting contributions to the community.
She was instrumental in founding the Venda Police Choir and promoting cultural initiatives such as traditional dance programmes and beauty pageants, which helped strengthen the bond between the police and the local community.
In 2021, she was named the Best Vispol Employee in SAPS Limpopo, and in 2023, she received the ‘Movers and Shakers’ award from the provincial commissioner.
