As we celebrate Women’s Month in South Africa, I can’t help but reflect on the challenges that our female police officers face every day. Despite the strides we’ve made as a nation, being a woman in law enforcement is still no easy feat. From battling gender bias to confronting the dangers of crime on our streets, these women have to navigate a demanding and often unforgiving environment.
According to recent statistics, women make up nearly 30% of the South African Police Service (SAPS), a significant figure considering the male-dominated history of this profession. Yet, these women continue to rise above the challenges, proving time and again that they are not only capable but essential to the safety and security of our country.
One such woman is Lieutenant General Maropeng Johanna Mamotheti, whom I admire for her resilience and dedication. With 36 years of service under her belt, she is a true testament to what it means to break barriers in a field that hasn’t always been welcoming to women.
Mamotheti’s journey began in 1987 when she joined SAPS as a student constable. Over the years, she has climbed the ranks through sheer determination and hard work. Earlier this year, she was promoted to Lieutenant General and now serves as the Divisional Commissioner for Visible Policing and Operations, a role that puts her in charge of more than 19,000 members. Her responsibilities are vast, including overseeing visible policing, managing the Operational Response Services (ORS) units, and securing the country’s borders, land, sea, and airports.
What strikes me most about Mamotheti is her unwavering commitment to her duties. Before her current role, she served in various positions, each one contributing to the safer South Africa we all strive for. As the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Support Services in the Northern Cape, and later as the Component Head for Social Crime Prevention, she played a pivotal role in enhancing partnership policing programmes—initiatives that are crucial for community safety.
Mamotheti also led the Firearms, Liquor, and Second-Hand Goods (FLASH) unit at Head Office, where she managed to reduce the backlog in firearm licensing and firearms amnesty applications by an impressive 94%. In the 2021/2022 financial year alone, she oversaw the finalisation of more than 531,000 firearms-related applications, significantly reducing the number of illegal firearms in circulation. Her efforts led to the destruction of over 263,000 firearms that were either voluntarily surrendered or confiscated during crime-combating operations.
What I find particularly inspiring is her focus on removing illegal firearms from our streets. She’s clear about the dangers that these weapons pose, saying, “The focus of our operations is to remove illegal firearms from our streets. We are seizing firearms on a weekly basis, and our goal is to ensure we make the country a safer place to live in. Firearms are the most preferred weapon when violent crime is committed, and that is why we must intensify our operations in this regard.”
Mamotheti’s educational background is as impressive as her career. She holds a Diploma in Policing, a BTech degree in Policing, and a Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management. These qualifications have undoubtedly equipped her with the skills necessary to lead in such a challenging and dynamic environment.
As we honour women this month, I’m reminded of the immense contributions of women like Lieutenant General Maropeng Johanna Mamotheti. Her story is not just one of personal achievement but also of breaking down the barriers that have long stood in the way of women in law enforcement. She’s a beacon of hope and an example of what can be accomplished when we refuse to be limited by the roles society has traditionally assigned us.
