Port Shepstone traffic officer retires after 40 years service
One of the highlights of Johnson Pillay's career was meeting former president Nelson Mandela and escorting him to South Coast.
After 40 years as a public servant, Port Shepstone Road Traffic Inspectorate principal provincial inspector, Johnson Pillay, clocked out for the last time on March 31 for a well-deserved retirement.
A farewell function held at Qbit Pool Academy saw many of Pillay’s present and past colleagues attend. He started in public service in 1986 as a police officer and was stationed at Umkomaas Saps. In 1991 he left to join NPA traffic as it was known at that time, which later became KZN traffic police.
Pillay was the 364th officer employed in the department and today the number is about 2000. He excelled steadily and in 1994 he qualified as an A grade vehicle examiner and tested all classes of vehicles at Matatiele, Kokstad, Port Shepstone and Umzinto testing centres.
He recalled good and bad memories during his career. “The best was when I had the privilege of meeting former president Nelson Mandela and escorting him to the South Coast from Durban airport. The worst was a gruesome accident, where two children were burnt to death when a bus hit a car on the bridge at Umtentweni.”
Being a traffic officer is difficult and they often hear creative excuses from motorists trying to avoid fines. The worst excuse Pillay heard was “sorry officer my cat died and I am rushing to the vet.”
Over the years, Pillay encountered dangerous situations.
“I was shot at many times and I was involved in two serious accidents that I needed medical support, but I got up and carried on. My greatest lesson was never take anyone to be your friend, they will stab you in the back just to be promoted above you. This job has been stressful at times, especially in the early days as there was no trauma counselling and compassionate leave, you just had to put the incident at the back of your mind and go on.”
He advised new recruits to listen and learn from experienced officers in traffic or police departments.
He thanked everyone who played a supportive role in his career. “I will miss my job dearly, but most importantly my friends and colleagues.”
He now looks forward to retirement and enjoying the beautiful coast.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
