| 2024/08/09 |
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Media Statement PRETORIA – This year, the South African Police Service (SAPS) joins the country in observing Women’s Month by celebrating women in policing who are not only ‘game changers’ in their respective fields, but who also break barriers in male dominated environments. Today, we introduce the nation to the first female police officer in the history of the organisation who successfully completed the elite Special Task Force (STF) Selection Training Programme without any amendments made to suit females. Completing the STF’s intensive and rigorous eighteen-month long training programme is no small feat as it is designed to test one’s physical capabilities, endurance and mental strength. Many police officers would apply to join this elite unit with only a few that ultimately passes all the phases and complete the training programme. The thirty-two-year-old female police officer, whose identity cannot be revealed for security reasons, was one of only eleven members of the Selection 36 group who were bestowed with STF parachute wings in January 2023 by the National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola after they completed their training. As an operational STF operator, she is trained to a high level of skill in weapon proficiency, advanced para-military rural tactics, advanced tactical policing for high-risk incidents, hostage release tactics in a variety of high-risk incidents as well as the ability to deploy operationally by parachute into rural environments. The operator says from a young age she already knew that she was destined to serve people and studied to become a personal trainer while playing rugby. Being both a fitness fanatic and an ‘adrenaline junkie’ her life naturally gravitated towards a career in law enforcement and she joined the Service in 2012. She admits that at first she doubted that she would be able to complete the STF training, but she says that she soon realised that where your mind takes you, your body will follow. The operator fondly refers to her colleagues as her ‘brothers’ and describes their bond as nothing short of comeraderie. She also encourages other women to be their authentic self and to never doubt themselves. When she takes her ‘game face off’, the operator spends her free time by staying fit and writing poetry while she is also studying towards a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Psychology. “I always wake up with a smile on my face, even when I get woken up in the early hours of the morning to attend to a high-risk situation. My job excites me because the higher the risk, the higher the reward,” said the operator. The Special Task Force, established in 1976, is the only para-military unit in the SAPS and falls under the Specialised Operations Component, which is led by a female commander, Major General Nonhlanhla Zulu. Together with other units and components, they report to the organisation’s first female Deputy National Commissioner for Policing, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili. This elite unit’s mandate includes responding and providing operational support only to high-risk incidents which include terrorism and hostage related incidents, rescue missions amongst a host of other high-risk matters. As the only female Special Task Force operator, rest assured she gives it her all as she continues to serve our country with dignity, honour and pride! Ends
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