New acting station commander for Florida appointed

A new acting station commander has been appointed at Florida Police Station.

Lieutenant Colonel Ivy Mabuso has been appointed as the new acting station commander, taking over from Brigadier Amos Lefa Tsotetsi.

Hailing from Phokeng, a small town in the North West, Mabuso is now leading where all her 29 years of service to the uniform and country began.

She has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the area that she has garnered since 2004; there is no doubt that she is well-positioned to tackle the precinct’s darkest corners while illuminating its brightest possibilities.

After finishing her police training in 1995, she was stationed at Maraisburg Police Station, where she worked as a constable, and in 1997 she was promoted and worked at Krugersdorp Police Station.

“During my time in police training, I enrolled for a diploma at the University of South Africa for four years. In 1997, I enrolled for my degree, which I completed in 2004. After that, I was promoted to captain, and then I started working in Florida,” she reflects.

Mabuso’s remarkable journey with Florida Police Station then began in 2004, when she assumed the role of a captain. During this tenure, she fostered strong relationships with local security companies, resident associations, and Community Policing Forums (CPFs).

She was warmly welcomed by Caleb Finn, the chairperson of the CPFs and currently ward councillor for Ward 71.

“Florida has become a second home to me,” she says. “The community has always been welcoming, making me feel like I belong.

“We are going to continue building a good relationship with the public and continue with our daily operations. We are hoping to get support from the public, and if there’s anything, our door is always open.”

The community wishes Mabuso well on her new journey:

“Mabuso has been at the Florida station for many years and has a wealth of knowledge regarding the area and community. I wish her well as she fills the big shoes left behind by Tsotetsi. I am hopeful that Mabuso will keep the flag flying high in the fight against crime,” Finn said.

Florida Hills Resident Forum chairperson Stanton Nell said, “The Florida Hills Residents Forum would like to welcome Mabuso. We wish her all the best as she embarks on this new journey. You have our full support, and we wish you all the best.”

Florida South Resident Association chairperson Rodney Churchyard said, “On behalf of the Florida South Residents Association, we extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to you as the new acting station commander for Florida.

“We are truly excited about the opportunity to work closely with you and are confident that you will build upon the solid foundation laid by your predecessors. We are grateful for the recent positive experiences we’ve shared with your team and hope that this spirit of collaboration continues throughout your tenure.

“Your leadership and commitment to our community are invaluable, and we look forward to supporting your efforts in maintaining safety and security in Florida South. May your time with us be marked by countless successful interventions and positive impacts, and we wish you a safe and fulfilling period in the years to come. Together, we can continue to strengthen the bonds between the police force and our community. Welcome aboard, and we look forward to great achievements together.”

The Maraisburg Residents Association (MRA) also extended its warmest wishes to Commander Tsotetsi for his future endeavours.

“Throughout his tenure as station commander at Florida, Tsotsetsi has demonstrated exceptional dedication to community service, engaging with various organisations and structures to promote public safety and well-being.

“We have had limited interactions with Tsotetsi, but his passion for community care was evident in our last meeting. We wish him all the best in his new position. We also welcome the new acting station commander.

“We wish her every success in her role. We hope she will build upon Tsotetsi’s achievements and overcome the challenges facing the greater Florida area. As MRA, we commit to collaborating closely with the new commander to ensure our communities remain safe,” their statement read.