SAPS station commander awarded LLB
Captain Simangele Gxeyane (34) has added a Bachelor of Laws to her long list of achievements.
The young station commander, who is stationed at Mehlomnyama, joined the South African Police Service (SAPS) at the age of 19 and steadily climbed the ranks, which motivated her to pursue a law degree.
"I completed my Bachelor of Arts in 2011 and graduated with my honours in 2013. I decided it was time to study something different. My exposure to law enforcement led me to choose an LLB because I wanted to enhance my knowledge of the law," said Gxeyane.
Having come a long way from being a domestic worker and fast-food waitress, Gxeyane has a reputation as an all-rounder at SAPS, having worked in the Crime Prevention and K9 Unit as well as Crime Intelligence and the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI). During her studies, she served as the Treasurer for the Black Lawyers Association UKZN Student Chapter. In her second year, she was appointed as a warrant officer in Durban’s Serious Organised Crime Unit. She broke the glass ceiling during her final year of studies when she was appointed as the station commander.
"Colleagues at my previous office used to call me 'Advocate' because I’m very thorough. Studying for an LLB was the best experience of my life but very challenging. Law is a noble profession and a law qualification is valuable in all organisations and in the community, considering that we live in a democratic society."
Apart from being a mother to her eight-year-old son Maziya, she is also a sports fanatic. She completed her first Comrades Marathon in 2018 and has taken part in the Two Oceans, Mandela and Soweto marathons.
"Juggling work, studying and being a mother is challenging. I only managed because of the support I received from my lecturers, my fellow law students and my family, especially my mother, Mrs Gxeyane, and my employer. I’m currently pursuing my master's degree in Management since I am new in management, and plan to register for a master's degree in Business Law at UKZN. I won’t stop studying and always encourage young kids to make education fashionable," she said.
Words: Thandiwe Jumo