POLOKWANE - The SAPS Management in Limpopo bids farewell to one of the stalwart police officers, Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe, who has been a police officer for the last 37 years, serving 27 of these years in the environment of Corporate Communication and Liaison at different levels of command.
Colonel Ngoepe will be heading off to enjoy a well earned retirement as from tomorrow 01 April 2022. The veteran communications enthusiast, prior to joining the SAPS Communications business unit, he worked at Bolobedu Police Station in the Client Service Center (CSC) from 1986 to 1988 as a Sergeant. From then until 1995, he worked as a Detective holding the rank of a Warrant Officer which was later translated into Inspector.
He was appointed the Bolobedu Police Station Communication Officer the following year and within three years, he was appointed the Area Communication Officer in the then, Mopani Area. It was not long before his outstanding communication skills elevated him to the next level and was appointed the Area Head of Communication in the same Area at a Captain's rank. He worked there until the Areas where dissolved and Clusters were introduced. During that period, he was promoted to a rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He also headed Communications at SAPS Polokwane and SAPS Tzaneen Police Stations before he joined the Limpopo Provincial Corporate Communication and Liaison as the Provincial Commander of SAPS Media Centre in 2016. He was promoted to the post of Provincial Commander of Media Relations in 2018 at the rank of Colonel, the post which he is still holding until his retirement.
Colonel Ngoepe, during his entire career, has provided exceptional leadership on communication matters and as a team player, he led an outstanding team of individuals which provided the quality support to the organisation in terms of communication and media liaison. The space he occupied in the broader Corporate Communication and Liaison Component as the Provincial Commander of the SAPS Media Relations, led to the well-established mechanism and platform that are currently used for improved interaction between journalists from different media houses and police communication officers in Limpopo.
His experience, commitment and enthusiasm had made him to be an asset to the organisation, flying the SAPS flag high and delivering meaningful services to the public and the organization. He received lot of aculates for his outstanding excellence, both externally and within the organisation.
- He was awarded the best spokesperson in Limpopo for the year 2005
- Public guest speaker award for the year 2006 and appreciation on the good service rendered for the same year.
- Nominee for the 2012 Thobela F.M, African Legend-for- Changing Lives through mass-media(Nationally).
- Awarded best administration employee of the year 2018 during the SAPS Provincial prestige awards ceremony, to name a few.
Colonel Ngoepe continued to urge young officers to equip themselves with knowledge by furthering their studies and attending courses and learning programmes of which the SAPS Training Institutions are offering for free. For him, time management and respect are what shape a good and productive communicator.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe said of Colonel Ngoepe, “Your work is what we shall cling on to as a remembrance for your contribution in this Province and the organization at large”.
Colonel Ngoepe was born and raised in Tauatswala village outside Steilop in Limpopo province and still maintains he was born for the job and will continue to serve the community even after he had retired. The entire media houses and SAPS family will miss his humorous and readiness to take the bull by its horns.
We wish you a well-deserved retirement.
Source: South African Police Service