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Danisa Masuku
AS he was growing up in Dombodema, Plumtree in Matabeleland South Province, he had a dream to become a police officer. The ambition to become a police officer was fuelled by a neighbour who was a cop.
He says his neighbour’s lifestyle inspired him to aspire to become a police officer.
“There was a man who was a police officer and he had many cattle and goats. He also had a lorry. I think my exposure to his achievements shaped my dream and livened up the desire to become a police officer,” he said.
But he never knew how the dream which needed one to have five O-Levels would be achieved since he left school at Grade Seven and had no one to sponsor him to pursue his education to enable him to ultimately live his childhood dream. You might be wondering who we are talking about but wonder no more.
The story is about Shepherd Ncube (38) a Police Neighbourhood Watch Committee member who hogged the limelight after he resisted the temptation to be bribed with cash and meat from stolen cattle carcasses. His heroic efforts led to the arrest of Bhekilizwe Nyathi (43) and the recovery of five carcasses. He narrates why he joined the Neighbourhood Watch Committee.
“The core reason for joining the Neighbourhood Watch Committee was to become a Police Constabulary and I thank God because I managed to capture one of the suspected cattle rustlers and recovered the carcasses. Doors have opened as I am in the process of being upgraded to become a Police Constabulary. I signed the papers last week,” he said.
For his heroic efforts, farmers from Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North provinces and those with farms on the periphery of Bulawayo rewarded him with US$1 035, R5 360 and meat worth US$50 in a ceremony held at Ross Camp Police Station on Tuesday. More importantly, he was rewarded with a Certificate of Bravery.
Speaking at the handover of the certificate, Bulawayo Provincial Spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube said the certificate was more than an academic Diploma.
“The certificate of Bravery is more important than a Diploma because when Shepherd applies for a job in security companies, if there is a vacancy, he would be accepted. He has exhibited valuable traits that include loyalty, bravery and intelligence, which are of importance when one is considered to become a security guard,” he said.
Ncube revealed that the other driving force behind his dream was his wife Lethani Nkiwane.
“She supports me in every hustle. She always prays for me and we attend the same church of Zion,” he said.
Nkiwane said fear struck her when she heard about the incident.
“Upon hearing that he led to the capture of a cattle rustler and the recovery of the carcasses, fear struck me as I thought those rustlers would come and attack us,” she said.
She was full of praise for her husband: “I’m really happy for the prize money he was given and a Certificate of Bravery. His dream has come full circle.”
Last month, police in Bulawayo arrested Nyathi from Nkulumane suburb who was caught red-handed with five slaughtered stolen cattle.
Nyathi, who was accompanied by two accomplices, was apprehended by Ncube after he spotted the three in their parked vehicle, which contained the cattle carcasses on August 27. Two other suspects fled the scene and police have launched a manhunt for them.
Online Reporter