Rest in peace ‘Hamba Khaya’
Displaying a passionate interest in the lives of us all, he nevertheless kept every confidence entrusted to him.
Johnny Hutt, nicknamed ‘Hamba Khaya’, succumbed to a complicated series of health issues last Friday (19th).
He would have been 75 in September.
Heather Butler, former editor at the Mid South Coast Mail and South Coast Sun writes:
Johnny was known throughout the district and beyond as head of the SAPS detective branch.
He joined the police force at the age of 16.
By the time he was drafted to Umkomaas he had shown his commitment to his career.
He had trained at Pretoria Police College; assigned to Newlands, and in May, 1965, came to Umkomaas.
He worked his way up through the ranks under the guidance of station commander, Captain Alroy Burger.
Cpt Burger would, at times, send him to a crime scene by bicycle.
Undaunted, Constable Johnny took to the two wheels and saddle and probably reached the crime scene sooner than anyone else, because he knew the district like the back of his hand.
And, he was overseeing an area of some 460 square kilometres, from Karridene in the north, and 40km inland, and south to Black Rock.
He was 21 when he was put in charge of the enquiry branch of Umkomaas, and by 24, he was transferred to Weza.
He returned to Umkomaas 18 months later and served in the uniform branch before permanently joining the detective branch.
His staff went with him – they were not so much a team but a family.
Johnny trained many a policeman, several still in service. His long-time partner was Gibson Ndlovu.
As a policeman, Johnny went way beyond the call of duty.
He was involved with the investigation of all types of crime but specialised mainly in serious and violent crime. He faced many dangers.
His two sons, Warren and Shaun, followed his footsteps into the SAPS. Sadly, Shaun was killed on duty in January, 2004.
Johnny gained the nickname ‘Hamba Khaya’, because of his humane treatment of misbehaving youngsters.
He’d load them in a police van and, depending on what it was they’d done, he’d drive a distance and tell them to ‘hamba ekhaya’.
In 1994 he left the service, having earned himself the respect of all. There was nothing be didn’t know about policing.
He wanted to continue serving the people of the town he loved and started Hutt’s Protection.
He put as much commitment into his business as he had as a policeman.
The result was he grew, with the help of his wife, Desray, a most successful security company.
Johnny never lost his links with the police though, and many a time he was able to offer advice when it was sought.
One of his most recent visitors to his retirement home in Umdoni was the late Sam Nyawose.
He went to pay his respects to Johnny, knowing how gravely ill he was. Only a few days later, Sam was gunned down.
The day-to-day running of police work and security company affairs brought Johnny friendship, bonhomie, hardship, embarrassment and/or amusement.
He was a raconteur, and could regale a party with some amusing accounts – always changing the name to protect the guilty.
When Johnny died last week, Desray was by his side. He was at peace and simply smiled at her as he slipped away.
Johnny Hutt: a policeman par excellence, a compassionate businessman, a husband, father, uncle, grandfather and friend – all roles completed with full honours.
He is survived by Desray, Warren, Charmaine, Tania, Wanita and families.
Hamba kahle ‘Hamba Khaya’ – a man in a million.
Di White, former mayor of Umkomaas and past editor of the Mid South Coast Mail, also paid tribute to Johnny.
She writes:
Our friendship spanned more than 50 years. I first met Johnny the policeman when I worked at Umkomaas Town Board.
He would bring a monthly report for Town Board members, for inclusion in the next meeting’s agenda.
Crime was almost unknown, and it was never more than half a page long, generally consisting of items like “golf balls stolen” or “wet washing removed from washline.”
He was always calm, pleasant, and interested in the community.
I soon realised he knew everyone in town, and everyone knew him.
Displaying a passionate interest in the lives of us all, he nevertheless kept every confidence entrusted to him.
Umkomaas policing area was wide, and about once a month a policeman would drop Johnny in the hinterland with nothing more than a change of clothing.
He would then visit the chiefs to find out if all was well in their area.
They would give him food and he would sleep in one of their huts.
His Zulu name was Hamba Khaya (Go Home) because rather than arrest troublemakers, he would send them home.
When the Rainbow Nation arrived, Johnny left the police service and started a private company called Hutt’s Security.
The monthly fee was ridiculously low (nobody in Umkomaas ever overcharged anyone for anything) and the whole town joined.
It meant we all had a 24-hour protection service from the man who had always protected us from everything.
His wife, Desray, used to say, “Johnny never sleeps. I can wake up at any time during the night and his bed is empty.”
He was an important part of our lives, and the lives of our children.
When they pushed boundaries in their teen years, he was always there with good common sense advice.
We only had to say “Johnny said” for almost instant obedience.
Thinking back on those years, the word that comes to mind is ‘trust’.
He never betrayed our trust in him, but also never sugar-coated the truth. He was loved and respected by us all.
Our thoughts are with Desray and family, and we thank them for sharing Johnny with us at all times.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
