South African Police:  Honouring Warrant Officer Chaitoo Ramphal: For A Lifetime of Dedicated Service

SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE: HONOURING WARRANT OFFICER CHAITOO RAMPHAL: FOR A LIFETIME OF DEDICATED SERVICE

By Logan Govender [LG]

Detective Warrant Officer Chaitoo Ramphal

“The Nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten” – Calvin Coolidge

Honouring Warrant Officer Chaitoo Ramphal

Warrant Officer Chaitoo Ramphal was born in Merebank on the 14^th of November 1944. He began his schooling at Tagore High School in Clairwood, Durban, in 1963. On the 22^nd of October 1969, he joined the South African Police (SAP) at the Police District Headquarters in Wentworth, Durban South District. He was posted to Isipingo Police Station, where Sergeant Keyter was the Station Commander, No. 76 (Durban South District), the District Commandant was Colonel Horak.

South African Commanding Officer (Station Commander) and Staff

Isipingo

December 1969

Ramphal was called to undergo basic police training at the South African Police, Indian Training College, Wentworth, Durban as a member of Troop 13 of 1969. His troop included several distinguished officers who would go on to serve with great distinction, along them Brigadiers Chris Thaver and Hari Badul, Colonel Johnny Govender, Captain Rajoo Ellapan, and the late Warrant Officer VN Pillay and Sergeant BD Naidoo.

South African Police

Training College

Wentworth, Durban

Platoon 13

November 1969 to April 1970

Members Identified 

Second row: (L-R) 7^th Hariram, (Brigadier Hari Badul); 10^th Chaitoo, (Warrant Officer [Detective]), 3^rd from right.

Third row: (L-R) 3^rd Shunmugam, (Colonel Johnny Govender); 5^th late, BD Naidoo, (Sergeant Brain Naidoo); 10^th Rajoo (Captain Tiger Rajoo Ellappan).

Fourth row: (L-R), 3^rd Krishna (Brigadier Chris Thayer); 5^th late, VN Pillay, (Warrant Officer Lucy Nithia Pillay); 9^th late, SR Naidu (Warrant Officer), 2^nd right.

After completing his basic training, the Passing Out Parade was held in Unit 3, Chatsworth, after which Ramphal returned to Isipingo Police Station and served under the command of Sergeant Keyter, as a van driver, charge office duties, uniform enquiry investigation, and prevention of crime prevention duties.

Station Commander and Staff, SA Police, Isipingo

Hereunder is a collage of photographs of members that were based at Isipingo. Unfortunately, I am unable to identify many of the members.

Front row, 2^nd left, Captain Bob Mogamberry

Rear row, middle Captain Bob Mogamberry

SA Police, Isipingo Prevention of Crime Unit

Rear row, 4^th from left Captain Bob Mogamberry

Some of the legends of SA Police, Isipingo at Reunion Park on 17^th of November 2021.Chaitoo celebrated his 77^th birthday.

Front row, squatting, left to right, Lionel Paul and Rajendra Singh

Rear row, standing, from left to right, Satish Chinna; Tees Moodley; Chaitoo Ramphal; Morgan Naicker; Soma Moodley; Ivan Marimuthu; Bob Mogamberry

In 1986, following the amalgamation of the South African Police and the South African Railway Police, he was assigned to Merebank Railway Station under the command of Captain Smith, later he was transferred to Louis Botha Airport under the command of Major Smith. After three months, he exchanged transfer with a Railway Policeman from Wentworth, where he resumed crime prevention duties under the command of Captain Govindsamy Reddy.

Captain Govindsamy Reddy

Later, under the command of Lieutenant Udal Singh, he joined the Detective Branch, investigating serious offences including gang violence, murder, and hijackings. His investigations often led to the successful conviction of offenders, with some receiving sentences of up to 20 years imprisonment, and one receiving the death sentence for murder.

Warrant Officer Ramphal attended a two-week Detective Course at the South African Police Indian Training College under Captain Steyn. Upon completion, he was posted to Isipingo Detective Branch, commanded by Captain Udal Singh with Lieutenant Niar as Station Commander.

South African Police

Detective Course

(11-09-89 – 20-10-89)

Among his notable investigations was a high-profile hijacking and murder case involving a furniture removal truck traveling from Harding to Johannesburg, which resulted in multiple arrests and successful convictions.

His unwavering dedication earned him several Service Medals for Good and Faithful Service, a testament to his professionalism, courage, and integrity throughout his policing career.

1. The South African Police Seventy Fifth Anniversary Commemorative Medal.
2. The South African Police Service Star Twenty Year Loyal Service Medal.
3. The South African Police Service Ten Year Loyal Service Medal.

His service medals

After 24 years of loyal and dedicated service to the South African Police and the community, Warrant Officer Chaitoo Ramphal was honourably retired in 1993 due to medical unfitness.

“Chaitoo Rampal from Merebank. He worked in the Uniform branch at Isipingo when I was the Detective Commander.” – Major General (Professor) (George) Doraval Govender

“Warrant Officer Chaitoo Ramphal’s service stands as an example of loyalty, integrity, and devotion to duty. His commitment to justice, often under challenging and dangerous circumstances, brought honour to the South African Police and safety to countless citizens. His legacy of discipline and service will continue to inspire future generations of law enforcement officers.” – Logan Govender

“agnoscere et honorare servientibus” –

“to acknowledge and honour those who served”

“Soli Deo Gloria” – “To God Alone Glory”

  Logan Govender