New commander prioritises public safety
BRIGADIER Pumla Mdlankomo, 54, is the new boss at Cambridge police station.
Mdlankomo has taken over from the Brigadier Nomso Siganga.
Tsholomnqa-born Mdlankomo said the reason she had been in the police force for 34 years was that she had learned to listen, and had a down-to-earth approach in dealing with people.
She attended school at Tsholomnqa’s Zikhova Primary, and Msobomvu Junior Secondary, and matriculated from Jali High. From school she went straight into the police force, starting out as a constable at Zwelitsha police station.
The mother of two was transferred to the Western Cape in 2004, where she worked as a superintendent, rising to the rank of colonel.
She has returned home to share the knowledge and skills she has gained during her career.
Asked why she became a police officer, Mdlankomo said: “I wanted to be part of the team that protects this country.”
In her search for better job opportunities, she again packed her bags and headed for the city of gold in 2011, where she became cluster commander at the Germiston police station, and then served as station commander at Katlehong police station, on the East Rand.
She would work with a team at Cambridge station “to forge a way forward in how to prevent crime”.
With a huge smile, she said had never experienced gender discrimination in her job. “I put my foot down where there is a need.
“The treatment you receive from people depends on how you approach them and the level of respect you give to one another.
“I will motivate my fellow colleagues to do their best in protecting our people. I always play the role of a leader so that they can look up to me and commit themselves to their jobs. Most importantly, I want to show the community that we are trustworthy.”
Mdlankomo, a church-goer, added: “My job is to make sure that people feel safe. It is my responsibility to safeguard everyone.” —