Restoring trust in the police and creating safer communities free of crimes such as theft, assault and gender based violence (GBV) will be some of the key priorities for Brig Nokuthula Pete, who was recently appointed the new station commander for Paarl police.
Pete is an old guard within the South African Police Service, having joined the force at age 19 in 1986 and who has since held several ranks.
“I have always had a passion to become a police officer,” she told Paarl Post. “I wanted to make a difference by ensuring we create safer communities.”
Before being deployed to Paarl, Pete was the station commander at Gugulethu Police Station from 2020 until this year. Before that she led the Caledon Police Station, from 2014 to 2020.
No stranger to Paarl, she served as relief commander at the station in 2005.
“I was a relief commander for some time, and was then appointed an operational commander under the lieutenant-colonels. I oversaw our members who were posted outside.”
Pete says crime in Paarl has in the last two decades seen a steep increase.
“Paarl was never a problematic area. It was very peaceful. In those days when our officers were out on patrol and spotted suspicious-looking vehicles the information would swiftly be shared with the operational room. Whoever came from outside to commit a crime in Paarl would realise soon enough what a big mistake they made.”
She said she aimed to establish a working relationship between Paarl communities and its law-enforcement officers.
“The farm areas will be one of my focus points where I will ensure there are more awareness campaigns when it comes to crimes such as assault, domestic violence and GBV.
“We have to establish a good relationship between police and communities and are therefore partnering with several community organisations and other government organisations so that we have more boots on the ground.”
During an engagement with the Paarl West Community Policing Forum (CPF) last week Pete also committed to cleaning up Paarl’s central business district (CBD) areas that includes roads such as Lady Grey, Main Road, New Street, Bergrivier Boulevard and Jan van Riebeeck Drive.
During the engagement she said the CBD has seen an influx of informal business traders.
“I have already discussed these crime trends with several sector commanders. Business robbery in the CBD will be one of key focus areas especially since we are approaching the festive season.”
Out of uniform Pete is a traveller who tends to spend time with loved ones. “In my free time I like to loosen up. I enjoy touring the country. I’m also a member of the Apostolic Faith Mission Church. I am a child of God.”
