Bittersweet farewell for Springs police station commander
“I have done my part as the station commander of the Springs police station; now I’m handing over the reins,” station commander Brigadier Thembeka Gwebushe said.

It was a bittersweet day for members of the Springs police station as they bid farewell to station commander Brigadier Thembeka Gwebushe on Friday.
Gwebushe was the station commander for 11 years and had been in the police service for 37 years.
“It is time for me to hand over the reins to a new and energetic commander who will continue to serve the community.
“I have given my all during my time here and even if I have made only a small difference in the safety of the community, I leave as a happy person,” Gwebushe said.
“I can proudly say we have a clean audit in Springs, and I want that standard to be maintained. I was here to serve the community of Springs, and I served my community with pride. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.”
Ward 75 Clr Mike du Toit shared that Gwebushe put the Springs CPFs at the forefront of the community.
“We remain confident that we will have to continue to build where she started,” said Du Toit.
Alberton SAPS station commander Colonel Olven Letloenyane said Gwebushe took the words ‘thuma mina’, which translates to ‘send me’, seriously.
“She took the lead fearlessly and never looked back,” said Letloenyane.
“You were our leader, guardian, mentor, sister, and mother to all of us. You were able to calm us. When we speak of leadership, we speak of you. Thank you for bringing out the best in each of us.”

On behalf of the Springs SAPS, Vispol commander and acting station commander Colonel Eric Mhlongo expressed that since Gwebushe had left, the station has not been the same.
“Your absence is felt; we already miss your voice,” he said.
“We learnt a lot from you. You were a great leader who stood for everything. You were never a coward. We promise to respect our community, and we will give the Springs community the service they deserve. We will try to follow in your footsteps.”
Among the other attendees were Springs councillor Thulani Simelane, the CPF, Springs business owners Franco D’Arrigo, Sibusiso Mkhwanazi of Zig Zag, the Springs Taxi Association, and local butcher Maxi.
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