Colonel Bhekinkosi Ntshangase retires after award-winning career in solving mass murders
To become the best detective one needs to be disciplined, should not be tempted by anything that can derail him in his task, and should at all times be ready to serve when duty calls.
These are the words of KwaZulu-Natal’s Colonel Bhekinkosi Bongani Ntshangase, who recently won the Detective Services Team of the Year Award at the SAPS National Excellence Awards.
While he is excited and motivated by the award, Ntshangase is retiring in two months after leading the provincial team that deals with mass murders.
Ntshangase and his team handled 120 crime scenes, 180 operations, and arrested 150 violent crime suspects. Their efforts secured life sentences for perpetrators and addressed high-profile cases like the AKA and Tibz’s murders.
“We are committed and we work very hard and when we do our investigations, we ensure that we leave no stone unturned.
“All cases are serious, especially murder. We are sticking to our mandate which is mass murders. When three or more people are murdered, we are expected to make an immediate arrest. The community at large expects to see breakthroughs in all the cases. Also, it touches us as a unit, that whenever someone is killed, there must be an arrest,” Ntshangase said.
He said in some cases, they become lucky in getting information quickly, trace, and arrest suspects immediately.
Among the big cases cracked by his team is the Plessislaer mass shooting where seven people died. His team secured 13 life sentences.
At Taylor’s Halt where 12 people were killed and burnt inside the house, he and his team had a breakthrough and secured 12 life imprisonments.
He said the police should always be trusted by the community, they must visit the community to teach them what they should do whenever they get a piece of information.
“Whenever one arrests a suspect, there should be tangible evidence so that there is a watertight case when the suspects appear in court. We, as police officers, should oppose bail in serious cases,” he said.
He said people lose trust when known suspects are not arrested, or suspects are seen outside - when the bail was not opposed or if the case was very weak.
“To become the best detective one needs to be disciplined, and should not be tempted by anything that can derail them in his task. He should dedicate himself to work and work around the clock. Work tirelessly. Don’t stick to the working hours. Be flexible and always ready to serve when duty calls,” Ntshangase said.
Describing his leadership style, Ntshangase said: “I work together with my colleagues. I always give them a chance to share their ideas. No one is above the other. We put all ideas to the table and see which ones will take us forward as a team.”
He said the community he works with believes in him and his team. “They trust us, and they supply us with information that we can follow, which can lead to the arrest of the suspects.”
My commanders, family members, and the community are all behind me, he said.
Ntshangase is happy to leave the SAPS with his head held high, knowing that he was still active and won the award before retiring. He will exit the SAPS at the end of April, after 37 years of service.
He wants to take this time to rest, but his hands are open for those who need his assistance.
Ntshangase’s line manager, Brigadier William Sipho Kunene, the provincial head for serious and violent crime investigation, congratulated him and his team.
Kunene, whose portfolio includes overseeing taxi violence, murder and robbery, stock theft and endangered species, and vehicle crime investigation units, also won the award recently.
He was crowned the Senior Operational Manager of the Year for crime detection at the SAPS National Excellence Awards held at the Durban ICC recently.
His efforts curbed political violence, secured convictions, and improved community safety through efficient investigations.
He said it is a great feeling to be recognised at the national level and in November, he won the provincial award.
“To achieve good results, do what you are supposed to do and the results will follow. We deal with serious crimes, including taxi violence. Team members are hard at work, and I support them as their supervisor. We’ve had countless service meetings – where we apply the 72 hour- activation plan,” he said.
“We want to ensure that we are keeping our eyes on the ball. My biggest wish is that we can solve every case we get.
“We need full cooperation from communities. Even though there are CCTV cameras and other technologies, people remain the most important source of information. There are still people willing to assist the police officers with the information,” Kunene said.
His colleagues, and supervisors, are supportive — hence “I’m doing the same for my colleagues”.
He said the most difficult case to solve was the AKA and Tibz’s murder case - which took a whole year to take to court.
He acknowledged his previous commanders who influenced him to become a detective by providing him with the necessary training.
“They were there to teach me, and this took me further. I got the motivation as I was now getting convictions.”
gcwalisile.khanyile@inl.co.za
