‘We always get our man’
She is the driving force behind the 22 members of the FCS unit, which investigates cases of rape and violence every day.
RAPE, mutilation and the mental aftermath of violence form part of the daily schedule for the 22 members of the Empangeni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit (FCS).
In 2010 Empangeni FCS, which serves Empangeni, Richards Bay, Ntambanana, eSikhaleni and Mtunzini had one of the lowest conviction rates in the province.
Today, they are ranked third in KZN with an 80% rating.
The driving force behind this marked improvement is Lieutenant Colonel Makhosi Ncube (43), the commanding officer, who took over in 2010.
Lt Col Ncube leads the unit members through mentally and emotionally taxing cases every day.
‘It’s tough,’ she said, sitting behind her desk in her office in Mdoni House. Paperwork is piled on every available surface, and her phone rings at regular intervals.
‘Most days I am the counsellor and the policewoman. Many times I find myself investigating the case and supporting the victims,’ she said.
Ncube, originally from eShowe, has been in the SAPS for 21 years. A career detective, Ncube has worked in Mtubatuba, Hlabisa, eShowe and Empangeni before being transferred to FCS.
Time for change
‘Change was needed in the unit. The first thing I did after arriving was to get all the members together, and we had a brainstorming session.
‘During this session, a vision was born – to become the best FCS unit in KZN.’
Ncube has four children, the eldest of who is studying towards a medical degree at the University of Pretoria.
Her husband is also a policeman, and her father used to be the station commander of Esikhawini SAPS.
‘I actually wanted to be a nurse,’ she laughed. ‘But I decided I wanted to follow my father. I find my work much more satisfying now.’
Ncube admitted that one’s heart and soul must be dedicated to work if you wished to be successful.
Despite her six-day weeks, she spends her Sundays doing chores around the house and going to church.
‘Every day we deal with different things, but our mission is the same, we will always get our man.’
Lt Col Ncube and her team were behind catching the alleged ‘Satanic’ serial rapist.
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