Durban Central SAPS recently combined community engagement and internal celebration by hosting a successful youth career exposure initiative alongside a heartfelt farewell for a long-serving member.
As part of the SAPS’ “Take a Girl / Boy Child to Work” initiative, the Durban Central Social Crime Prevention and Communications Unit welcomed two high school learners from Durban Girls’ Secondary School and George Campbell School of Technology. The learners, currently in Grade 11 and 12, were given an opportunity to shadow officers and gain first-hand insight into a career in law enforcement.
The learners were welcomed by the head of Visible Policing (Vispol) and taken on a guided tour of the station, including stops at the Station Commander’s office, the Community Service Centre, CAS room, holding cells, the Gender-Based Violence room, and the 10111 call centre. Through this hands-on experience, they witnessed the inner workings of various SAPS departments and gained a deeper understanding of the responsibilities and challenges faced by police officers.
The learners expressed their admiration for the professionalism and dedication displayed by SAPS staff, noting that the experience had given them a new appreciation for the work police officers do and sparked their interest in careers within the South African Police Service.
In a separate but equally meaningful event, Durban Central SAPS bid farewell to Warrant Officer Nelson Simphiwe Dlamini, who is retiring after 34 years of dedicated service. W/O Dlamini joined SAPS in 1990 and served at several stations before settling at Durban Central in 1999, where he remained until his retirement on 30 May. He most recently worked in the Community Service Centre under D Relief.
Known for his loyalty and commitment to the force, W/O Dlamini will be fondly remembered by his colleagues and the community he served with diligence. His departure marks the end of an era for Durban Central SAPS, as he leaves behind a legacy of professionalism, discipline, and public service.
