Nongqai Vol 17 No 9 – (23) Lieutenant-Colonel Ronnie Naidu
Excerpt
A tribute to Lieutenant-Colonel Ronnie Naidu
Keywords
Ronnie Naidu tribute, police service, Chatsworth, SANAB, community safety, friendship, legacy.
Abstract
This tribute remembers Lieutenant-Colonel Ronnie Naidu and his dedicated service to the South African Police. It highlights his work as Head of the Criminal Investigation Department in Chatsworth and his commitment to fighting crime. After retirement, he continued serving the community by supporting and advocating for car guards at Chatsworth Centre. Friends and former colleagues remember him as a respected police officer, trusted adviser, community servant and loyal friend. His life of service and kindness has left a lasting legacy among the many people he helped and encouraged.
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE
IN MEOMORY
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL RONNIE NAIDU
Logan Govender – [LG]
Set out and submitted for publication by [LG].
“The Nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten” – Calvin Coolidge
A Tribute to Lieutenant Colonel Ronnie Naidu compiled by Mr Jerald Vedan
I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and fellow community servant, Lieutenant Colonel Ronnie Naidu.
Ronnie was much more than a retired senior police officer. He was a stalwart of our civic movement, a trusted adviser and a man who devoted much of his life to the safety and wellbeing of the Chatsworth community.
As a police officer, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and served as Head of the Criminal Investigation Department in Chatsworth. He was a true old-school lawman and a determined crime fighter.
But what I admired most was what he did after retirement.
While many would have regarded retirement as the end of their public service, Ronnie simply found another way to serve. As head of the car guards at Chatsworth Centre, he became a passionate advocate for people who are often overlooked. He constantly reminded us that these men and women were honest workers who deserved dignity, respect and appreciation.
Ronnie was always willing to give advice, and I personally benefited from his wisdom and friendship.
I was privileged to record a small part of his story in my recently published book, We Shall Cross. I wrote about his years in the police and his later service to the car guards, including his words:
“No one has ever extended gratitude to these individuals who are making an honest living. As a community, we must start acknowledging them.”
Those words now seem even more meaningful.
Ronnie spent his life protecting others – first through the law, and later through his service to ordinary people.
His watch has now ended.
But his legacy will remain in the memories of the many people he served, advised and encouraged.
Rest peacefully, Ronnie. You served your community well. It was an honour to know you and call you a friend.
May you rest in eternal peace. 
Jerald Vedan
Cyril Pillay
Our Deepest Sympathies, Our Precious Colonel Ronnie Naidu.
Retirement function of Detective Warrant Officer William (A) Moodley on 1984-04-25
L-R, Ronnie Naidu, Lieutenant-Colonel; Hans Jissok, Major General; Arumugam Moodley, Warrant Officer; Colonel TE Botha.
Captain DME Lazarus
“He from SANAB Durban as a Warrant officer and to CID Chatsworth. Promoted to Lieutenant. He was 2nd in charge to Major General Hans (C) Jisook and succeeded him as Branch Commander after he moved as Head of Detectives of Chatsworth District. He was still there when I moved to the College in 1992. He was promoted to Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel before he retired.” – Captain Martin Lazarus
Major General Bob Naidoo; Lieutenant-Colonel Ronnie Naidoo at a Durban Retired Officer’s function
Lieutenant-Colonel Ronnie Naidoo, 4th from left at a Durban Retired Officer’s function
“Each day, millions of police officers do the selfless work of putting their lives on the line to protect civilians, frequently responding to or
preventing crises completely with no recognition.” – Letitia James
“agnoscere et honorare servientibus” –
“to acknowledge and honour those who served” “Soli Deo Gloria” – “To God Alone Glory”
Logan Govender
