Sergeant Zwane steps into new role as Springs SAPS spokesperson
Sergeant Charity Zwane has been appointed as the new communication officer for the Springs Police Station, a role, she says, she will carry out with pride and dedication.
The Springs Police Station welcomed a new communication officer, Sergeant Charity Zwane (41). Beyond her uniform, Zwane is a mother of two daughters and a beloved sister.
Among her many roles, the one she carries most proudly is that of a police officer who wears her badge with honour.
She joined law enforcement in 2007 after working as a clerk of the court. Zwane tells the story of how enamoured she was with the police uniform and how she promised herself that she would one day wear it.
“While working as a clerk, I would see police officers, and I fell in love with the uniform. One officer encouraged me to apply and, on the first attempt, I got into the SAPS,” she said.
Zwane, born and raised in Springs, attended Job Maseko Primary School and Phulong Secondary School. She then studied financial management at the Springs TVET College.
She began working in the Visible Policing Unit, doing sector policing, before becoming a cell guard assistant.
“Working in the cells showed me the importance of working closely with the community. I learnt that people are in there for various reasons.
It was not my job to judge them, but I understood why a police officer should make it a priority to be more involved with the community,” Zwane explained.
She spoke about the station’s former communications officer, Captain Johannes Ramphora, and how he inspired her to one day take on this role.
“I always watched how he did his job so diligently and told myself that when he retires, there will be a lady who steps into his shoes,” she said.
Ramphora was succeeded by the late Sergeant Themba Tshabalala, who died last month, making Zwane the first female spokesperson since she joined the SAPS in 2007.
“I am grateful for this opportunity. I know I need to do my best, as I am filling in big shoes.”
She said she is excited to work closely with the Springs community and to get more exposure in her career.
“I am looking forward to working closely with the SAPS members, especially to strengthen the link between the police and the public.
“I encourage residents to stay in touch if they have any matter they would like to communicate with me,” she said.
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