Retiree Col Ngoepe hailed as a stalwart
Col Moatshe Ngoepe is a strong pillar of the Limpopo police communications team and his absence will surely be felt.
These were the words of acting police commissioner, Maj Genl Jan Scheepers, as Ngoepe spends his last two weeks in office after dedicating 37 years of his life to the police service.
“Part of working in the police, is that you work with colleagues who you have to trust, and Ngoepe was exemplary in doing so,” Scheepers said.
“He is a role model to his seniors and juniors alike, as well as to members of the community. He is reliable, honest and always walked the extra mile for his work. He represented the police and the community well. If I had my way I would keep him for another 10 years but he deserves this break, although we all know that he will find a way to involve himself in law enforcement.”
Scheepers speaks of Ngoepe as an officer who was always happy to do the job, an ethical officer in his own league.
“To work in the police to him was like a hobby. He would avail himself just because law enforcement was his calling. We can all see how passionate he is about his work. He was not just doing it to get paid, he was doing it because he loves the job. You can tell that his work made him happy and I salute him.
“We are sad to see him go, but we know that we won’t miss him because we will continue to lean on him.”
Ngoepe’s last day in office will be March 31, and he said he would fulfil his duties until the clock strikes midnight on the day.
“When I was first accepted into the police academy in 1985, I knew I was in the right place because I am passionate about law enforcement and authority. Even when I was in school, the role of a policeman in school plays, would always be portrayed by me. I even went as far as adding metal to the soles of my school shoes so that I could hear the loud noise of my boots as I walked in the shadow of the police, hoping I would eventually earn the badge. I started by working as a Sgt in Bolobedu where I later joined the team of detectives and spent the next eight years working my way up to a 99% success rate. Eventually I moved to communications where I have been since.”
Ngoepe started as the communications officer at the Bolobedu Police Station until he worked himself up to the provincial commander for media relations.
He says he was able to do it by having a supportive wife who understood the dynamics of his job, as well as by separating his personal and work life.
“Once an officer, always an officer. When you wear this uniform you need to wear it with pride. When people see you, they need to see a reflection of the police.”
He also had the following advice on career advancement: “Don’t work for a promotion, the promotion must find you. Stay away from corruption, regardless of the challenges you might face, make use of the employee health and wellness services and just do your best.”
Ngoepe says because community service runs in his DNA, he intends on spending his retirement by finding ways to serve his community.