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NONGQAI VOL 16 NO 8D: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE INDIAN MEMBERS GREAT LEGENDS

AUGUST 2025 PUBLICATION

Brigadier Hennie Heymans

Special Edition Nongqai Please!

Thank you.

Kind regards.

Logan

Cover Photograph

S O U T H  A F R I C A N  P O L I C E

I N D I A N  M E M B E R S

GREAT LEGENDS

CATEGORY INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS

APPROXIMATELY 1920’s

Major General (Professor) (George) Doraval Govender – [DG]

(Source [DG])

F O R E W O R D

It gives me immense pleasure to contribute a foreword to the great legends of policing, coming from 1920 onwards. These legends were our heroes of the past. They were very courageous to join policing during a time when racial tensions and political emotions were high. During that time there were many riots, protests and demonstrations fighting for equality and freedom of movement for all. Their impartial contribution during that difficult time left a positive imprint for me and other colleagues to follow in their footsteps. They were fearless with nerves of steel. They were prepared to confront any situation with minimum training and personal equipment (baton, handcuffs and a whistle) with no firearm training or firearms to confront rioters, protesters and demonstrators. I also remember being issued with the same personal equipment to perform police duties when I passed out of basic training in the early 1970’s. In later years we were fortunate to be part of transformation, which created equal opportunity for us as citizens of South Africa. Many of these colleagues to whom this publication is dedicated were not fortunate enough to see these transformational changes. We were the harvesters of their contributions. The Indian diaspora coming from previous generations were very conservative and traditional. They saw policing to be a dangerous occupation. However, these colleagues’ parents were not selfish, instead they allowed their children to follow this so-called dangerous occupation in policing. Another factor that also kept many people away from the occupation of policing was political influence. Little did many people realize that the government during that time created an opportunity for people of Indian origin to assist the Indian diaspora in communication and cultural relationship and provide a more effective and efficient service to the people of Indian origin. This is where we as Indian members of the police started our careers. We were usually posted to police station areas where Indian communities resided. I also had a similar experience being posted to South African Police Chatsworth. The community at Chatsworth also appreciated being serviced by people in the same community. I am certain that many of these colleagues who joined from 1920 onwards also felt the same. Their contributions provided courage and nerves of steel for future generations to become part of policing in South Africa. The editors are complimented for their research in putting together a publication in remembrance of our colleagues from 1920 onwards.

Major General (Ret) Doraval Govender, DLitt et Phil, SOE, F.I.S (SA).

Professor in Criminal Justice Studies, University of South Africa

S O U T H A F R I C A N P O L I C E

I N D I A N M E M B E R S

GREAT LEGENDS

CATEGORY INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS

(Researched and authored by Logan Govender – [lG]), edited and set out for publication from the information obtained from various individuals, members and other sources.

SECOND CLASS SERGEANT SHAIK ABDOOL

Joined the Borough Police in Pietermaritzburg on

11 August 1921

Accepted into the South African Police on 1^st April 1927

Transferred to SA Police, Sutherlands (Plessislaer) in 1928

Retired 1^st May 1952

34 years of service

(Comment: General JV van der Merwe the former SA Police, Commissioner was also based at Sutherlands as a young constable, period unknown – [LG])

Nongqai published June 1956

Sergeant M Murugan (Centre)

Enlisted during the 1920’s

Probably retired as a Sergeant in 1956

36 years of service

The two sons on his left and right will be included under 1930 and 1950 respectively.

SERGEANT LR CHETTY (Centre)

Unfortunately, no further information is available

Probably also joined during the 1920’s

APPROXIMATELY 1930’s

Nongqai published June 1956

Sergeant M Murugan (SON) (Left)

Enlisted during the 1930’s

Probably retired as a Sergeant during 1960’s

36 years of service

The two sons on his left and right will be included under 1930 and 1950 respectively.

SERGEANT MARIEMUTHU IRUSAN

Born December 1914 Bainsfield, Pietermaritzburg

Enlisted SA Police, Verulam in January 1937

Served at Verulam, Durban Central & Mountain Rise

Retired Sergeant 1970

33 years of service

KATHAVARAYN RAJGOPAUL

Born Verulam, KwaZulu Natal 27^th October 1915

Enlisted SA Police, Durban Central 02^nd February 1937

Served at Durban Central Criminal Investigation Department, Head of Criminal Investigation Department, Unit 2, Chatsworth

Retired as a Lieutenant 1975

38 years service

PROBABLY JOINED DURING THE 1930’s

Unfortunately, no further information is available about the two members standing. Seated Sergeant Naidu. Apparently joined and at served at Durban Central.

APPROXIMATELY 1940’s

DETECTIVE SERGEANT RAMKARAN MAHARAJ

(Dad of Lieutenant General (Sharma) DS Maharaj

He enlisted into the SA Police during the 1940’s in Richmond(N) Also Pietermaritzburg Central (Loop Street), Scottsville, Topham Road and Alexandra Road.

SERGEANT BHAUL HARIPERSAD

(Dad of Brigadier Anesh Haripersad)

Served SA Police, Sydenham, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SUBRAMONIA PILLAI

Born 10^th February 1927

Enlisted SA Police, Stamford Hill, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal 13^th July 1949

Served at SA Police Stamford Hill; Overport; Sydenham; Bellair: Chatsworth Unit 02; Training College, Wentworth

Passed on 05^th December 1982

Served for 33 years

First Indian Station Commander Chatsworth Unit 02

First Indian Commissioned Officer 1^st July 1970

First Indian Graduate in the SA Police

First Indian Commanding Officer, Wentworth, Police Training College

Colonel S. Pillai was a posthumously recognized Indian policeman in the South African Police and later the South African Police Service (SAPS) who served as the Officer Commanding of the SAP Training College. He was celebrated as a trailblazer and role model from his community in Chatsworth.

APPROXIMATELY 1950’s

WARRANT OFFICER KISTAN NAIDOO

Born on 4^th June 1932 at Ahrens, near Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal

Joined SA Police at Pietermaritzburg Central during 1954

First Indian at the Local Fingerprint Department Pietermaritzburg (Forensic Science Laboratory)

Retired as a Warrant Officer during 30^th June 1986.

INDIAN SERGEANT MURUGAN (LEFT)

INDIAN SERGEANT PERUMAL SUBBEN

Born in Magazine Barracks on 1926-09-09

Enlisted in the SA Police at Somtseu Road during the 1950’s.

Served Somtseu Road, Overport, Sydenham, Chatsworth Unit 2 and Chatsworth Unit 5

INDIAN CONSTABLE MM MURUGAN (RIGHT)

WARRANT OFFICER (AROO / WILLIAM) ARUMUGAM MOODLEY (RIGHT)

Born 25^th May 1929 Bellair, Durban

Enlisted at SA Police, Bellair on 26^th October 1953

Served at Bellair, Chatsworth Unit 02 and Chatsworth Unit 05

Retired 31^st May 1984 served for 31 years.

KANDASAMY (LEFT)

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL AARON BERNARD PILLAY

Born Pietermaritzburg

Joined SA Police, Loop Street, Pietermaritzburg.

CAPTAIN BOB SEWPERSAD

Born Scott Street,

Joined SA Police, Loop Street, Pietermaritzburg

DETECTIVE WARRANT OFFICER MIKE NAGAMUTHOO

Born 29^th August 1935 Magazine Barracks, Durban KwaZulu-Natal

Joined SA Police at Clairwood, Durban.

Photographs of members who contribute tirelessly in the background : –

Brigadier Hennie Heymans, Editor in Chief, Nongqai.

Captain (Sooks) Prakash Sokaloo

Nongqai correspondent travels around KwaZulu-Natal to collect original photographs for scanning and returns same to the respective families.

Captain D (Martin) E Lazarus

Nongqai Correspondent locates information from the families of the older stalwarts that have departed and those still alive.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I should like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to the following: –

• The Editor, Nongqai, [HBH] for agreeing to publish a Special Edition of Nongqai to acknowledge, celebrate and honour the FIRST Indian Police Officers from 1920 till 1950 in the South African Police. The invaluable contributions by [HBH] in researching, recording and documenting the efforts of South African Police, Security and Military personnel, of ALL groups; particularly that of South African Police, Indian members;

• To the members and family members, too numerous to mention here, for all the information and photographs provided;

• Major General (Professor) [George] [DG] for the Foreword and his keen interest, advice, inspiration,

professional assistance always and the Foreword;

• Advocate Karen Pillay, daughter of Colonel Rungasamy (Dickey) Munsamy for her keen

interest, advice, inspiration, professional assistance always, her insert and review, editing and oversight of this edition;

• Lieutenant General (Advocate) Sally Khan; Major General Oswald Reddy, Lieutenant-Colonel (Advocate) Jay Govender, (daughter of Captain (Derrick) Sagathevan Moodley), Captains DME Lazarus and (Sooks) P Sokaloo for their respective contributions, herein;

• Last but by no means the least, my dear family for their inspiration, encouragement and patience.

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

Logan Govender