Bronkhorstspruit police welcomes new top cops

The police station in Bronkhorstspruit recently announced the new station commander, section commander for visible policing (Vispol) and the section commander for the detective services.

Col Maqhawe Simon Dhladhla is the new station commander.

He is no stranger to Bronkhorstspruit. While he was the station commander in Cullinan, he worked closely with the late station commander, Col Scheltens.

“Col Dhladhla also operated in the Bronkhorstspruit policing precinct during operation Okae Molao, so he is conversant with the area,” said Const Cathrine Ramovha, communication officer for the Bronkhorstspruit Police.

Col Dhladhla began his policing career in 1989 at Morgenzon and has a National Diploma in Policing.

“The 53-year-old Dhladhla has 33 years experience and he brings a wealth of knowledge in terms of police management to Bronkhorstspruit,” Const Ramovha said.

Col Dhladhla has served at various police stations where he held positions as station commander and head of Vispol, among others.

The new station commander declared himself ready to build strong partnerships with the community of Bronkhorstspruit in a fight to eradicate crime and to make Bronkhorstspruit safer for its community.

“My main priority is to bring all stakeholders together, the Crime Prevention Forum (CPF), Business Forum, Mine Crime Combating Forum and others to work together to reduce crime, ” Col Dhladhla said.

The newly appointed colonel wasted no time and has already met up with the CPF executive and some of the Community in Blue patrollers.

He can be contacted 013 932 9201 or 082 822 8342.

Lieut-Col Sibonile Mlaba is the newly appointed Vispol commander at Bronkhorstspruit Police Station.

She stepped into the boots of Lieut-Col Lebelo who retired from the service.

Lieut-Colonel Mlaba has a diploma in Advanced Management, a Bachelor degree in Policing Practice as well as a National Diploma in Policing.

She joined the police in 2001 and has been in service of the police for 21 years.

According to Lieut-Col Mlaba, her main aim is to reduce crime.

Lieut-Col Mlaba was a shift commander at Elsburg Police where her duties included that of operations in sector teams, operations commander, community service Centre, MIC and shift commander.

“I will make sure that that Bronkhorstspruit residents feel safe and protected, the law will be enforced to combat crime.

“My core role will be to oversee operations at the station including the sector commanders, shift commanders, officers and the community service centre,” Lieut-Col Mlaba said.

The public can contact the Vispol commander on 013 932 9258 or 078 413 1710.

The new leader among the detectives, Lieut-Col Matthys Strydom, stepped into the boots of the former head, Lieut-Col Makgonwa, who has been promoted to Colonel and now serves at Sunnyside Police as a detective commander.

The new detective commander’s police career set off in 1993, he is in service of the police for 29 years and holds a National Diploma in Police Management.

Lieut-Col Strydom is a resident of Bronkhorstspruit and was employed at Bronkhorstspruit Police Station from 2009 to 2011 as a detective coordinator.

He was later promoted to Welbekend and thereafter at Pretoria Central Police. “Our policing precinct is therefore well known to the Lieut-Col Strydom,” said Const Ramovha.

Lieut-Col Strydom dealt with serious and violent crimes in the past and has vast experience in crime investigation.

“I am aiming to increase the conviction rate and will see to it that members gain more skills and reign supreme in the fight against criminals,” said Lieut-Col Strydom.

The public can get in touch with the new detective commander on 013 932 9278 or 071 612 1875.

“The Bronkies Police appreciate the efforts of all three of our new commanders and welcome them to the station,” Const Ramovha concluded.