THE newly appointed branch commander for the detective branch at Montclair Police Station, Lieutenant Colonel S’thembiso Khambule, is a veteran in the field with more than 30 years of detective work experience.

Khambule’s core values are to foster strong working relationships with the community and to encourage the public to collaborate with the police in solving reported cases.

Also read: Police launch crime awareness campaign in Montclair

As a new member at the station, he promises to inject new blood into his branch by enforcing grassroots partnerships with the community, which he believes will accelerate detectives’ work in solving cases.

While he is concerned about the new crime trend in Montclair area such as theft of copper cables and house break-ins he says, “the police are making great strides in arresting perpetrators, despite the sharp rise in such criminal activities.”

The role of the detective branch commander entails:

Case oversight and management – deciding which cases should be prioritised and assigning them to detectives based on expertise, resources and the nature of the case.

Leadership and supervision – leading a team of detectives and investigative staff.

Strategic planning and crime prevention – playing a key role in setting priorities for the investigative team, identifying emerging crime trends and focusing resources on high-priority or high-risk areas.

Collaboration with other agencies – coordinating with other law enforcement agencies to share intelligence, resources and strategies.

Policy and procedure enforcement – ensuring that their team adheres to departmental policies, investigative procedures and legal requirements.

He believes that being a detective is not just a job, but a calling that requires perseverance and analytical skills, coupled with investigative experience and training.

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He completed a detective course at the SAPS Paarl Academy in Cape Town, where he also completed a junior management course and a detective commander’s course.

“My job as a detective entails preparing comprehensive dockets (reports) for court so that the victims of crime get the justice they deserve. I have to get regular feedback from the victims to ensure a speedy investigation.

“There are challenges in this career, especially when we encounter people who are reluctant to provide the police with the information needed for a particular case. We encourage the public to come forward with information, assuring them that it will be treated confidentially,” he added.

In his previous detective roles, he worked with the Hawks where he assumed the role of Lieutenant Colonel for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) in Richards Bay in 2020. In 2022, he was appointed as acting commander for the Hawks in Richards Bay until November 2023.

Skills required:

• • Legal knowledge
  • Decision-making
  • Leadership and management
  • Effective communication skills
  • Analytical skills

He has previously been deployed to various police stations in the province to assist in improving the performance of the detective units.

“I started my career in policing in 1990 at the Wentworth Police Station as a police Constable. In 2000 I joined the detective branch and worked as a serious crime investigator. In 2009 I was promoted to Captain,” he said.

He joined the Montclair detectives’ branch in October this year after he applied for a transfer while he was working for the Hawks in Richards Bay last year.

Station commander for Montclair police, Colonel Trevor Small, described Khambule as one of the rare gems in the police service.

“He is a seasoned detective with vast work experience. I have known him as a dedicated member who always takes pride in his work. He brings a wealth of experience to the station. We are truly blessed to have him working at the detective branch,” said Small.

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