Ga-Nala is in very capable hands

The first impression you get when you meet the new station commander at Kriel Police Station is that he carries the welfare of the community at heart.

In his office, wedged between one meeting after the other, he made time for a friendly chat.

Lieutenant Colonel Mandla Khumalo took over at Kriel police station on January 2.

He started his career in 1992 at Mayflower working at CSC.

In 1993 he worked as a detective in Mayflower and in 1998 worked as a branch commander.

Two years later he was promoted to warrant officer and appointed as station commander.

In 2005 another promotion saw him holding the rank of captain and he became station commander at Sheepmore.

If time allows, he plays a little bit of soccer, “We have to keep fit and therefore I promote a healthy lifestyle and I encourage my members to participate in sports” he said.

LT Col Khumalo believes that a passionate policeman is categorised as a person who respects and upholds the constitution.

“A true policeman is one who does not tolerate disloyalty and ill-discipline and he or she enforce the law without fear or favour”, he said.

“I am appealing for community support and encourage working together in fighting crime through community participation in community police forums and also in preventing and reducing the level of property crimes in the area, especially burglary residential, theft of motor vehicles by engaging with the police. We will strive for excellence in serving the community and work together with the community in squeezing crimes to zero.”

For effective service delivery Lt Col Khumalo said residents of the beautiful town he has taken under his wing, must make sure they have the following numbers stored on their cell phones:

* Kriel station commander: 082 579 0445.
* Kriel visible policing head: Capt Patrick Nhlambo 079 499 1951.
* Kriel support head: Capt Phina Seloane 079 891 5215.
* Kriel detective branch commander: Capt Thabile Maseko 082 579 0460.