AFTER 37 years of service, Limpopo police spokesman Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe (60) finally hung up his boots on Thursday, 31 March.
The colonel from Ga-Taueatswala Village outside Steilloop spent 27 years as a spokesman.
“Although it is not easy losing my SAPS family, I’m happy to have run my race in full,” said Ngoepe.
He said he handled all the media houses equally and released authentic and verified information all the time. He also managed to keep a professional working relationship with all the journalists without taking sides.
Ngoepe joined the service in 1985.
“I became a sergeant, then a warrant officer in 1994,” he said.
His progress through the ranks was steady. From inspector to captain, superintendent, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel.
In 2018, Ngoepe was promoted to provincial commander of media relations.
“I’ve always championed media deadlines and urged members to do the same because journalists are the mouthpiece of the public,” said Ngoepe.
Ngoepe said he knew what was expected of him at crime scenes and always complied with the SAPS media handling policies, the Criminal Procedures Act, Sexual Offences Act and the Constitution of the Republic.He was awarded the best spokesman in Limpopo in 2005 and awarded Best Administration Employee of the Year in 2018.
“I’ll miss serving the province and the country as a functioning police officer.
“Now, I’ll have more time with my family and participate in community-based projects. I also missed my Christian life as a Zion Christian Church member.”
His advice to other spokesmen and women: respect and have a good working relationship with all media houses.
“Treat journalists equally and fairly,” he said.
