New station spokesman wears many hats

Montclair SAPS’ new communication officer is ready to take on the world.

Lt Derek Vijiam (54) from Chatsworth has been in the police force since 1981 when he was enlisted at the Bellair SAPS. He has been there for the past 34 years, 22 years of which he served as a communication officer. “I always wanted to be a policeman, it was something I knew I would end up doing,” said Lt Vijian.

Being a policeman was not the only thing he was good at, however, as Lt Vijiam was a renowned boxer and  a former South African amateur bantam weight champion who has fought with boxing legend Lehlohonolo Benedict Ledwaba ‘Hands of stone’. He was a semi-pro soccer player and is a qualified pastor. In 1978, he was selected to Natal cricket, soccer and boxing teams.

Although being a policeman is a rewarding job, Lt Vijiam believes in imparting knowledge, especially to the youth. With his knowledge in boxing and other sports, he plays an important role as coach for a professional boxer as well as a netball team. “I am a person who likes to mentor and train others, especially when I have skills to offer them,” he said.

With so many traits and talents, one could wonder how he stays humble. “Being a pastor does help keep me humble. I am heavily involved in the church and so it keeps me grounded. Faith is very important to a person’s life,” said Lt Vijiam.

He wants the community within the vicinity of Montclair SAPS to know that his door is always open and his goal is to make the area a safer environment. “I am a hands-on person and I will work closely with the community. I aim to reinvigorate ideas and will assist in the imparting of knowledge which will benefit the safety of the people,” He added.

Outgoing communication officer, W/O Poobalan Marimuthu welcomes Lt Vijiam and wishes him all the best in his new portfolio.