SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE
CAPTAIN (BOB) MOGAMBERRY GOVENDER
BORDER VETERAN AND A LIFE OF DUTY AND HONOUR
The young handsome Constable (Bob) Mogamberry Govender during 1967
Authored, researched, compiled, edited, and submitted for publication by Logan Govender [LG], drawing on information provided by Captain (Bob) Mogamberry Govender and other contributors.
Logan Govender
“The Nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten” – Calvin Coolidge
(Bob) Mogamberry Govender was born on the 10th of December 1948 in Pinetown, Durban. He attended Pinetown State Aided Indian School. The late Lieutenant General Morgan Chetty was a locum teacher at this school in the 1960’s.
He joined the South African Police Force on 1966-06-20 at Pinetown and was posted to Illovo Beach Police Station.
SA Police, Pinetown, old station. (Old Pinetown Police station and Rodney Torr, late. I was stationed there 1977 to 1980. – Willie Joubert)
The Station Commander was Warrant Officer Brand from 1966 till 1967. He performed Charge Office duties.
On 01st Oct 1966 he reported to The South African Police, Indian Training Depot, in Wentworth, for basic Police training and was in Platoon 8 of 1967. He completed his basic police training on 1967-03-31.
South African Police
Indian Training College
Wentworth
Durban
Platoon 8, 1967
Members Identified
3rd row, L-R, Adams (Captain), 3rd; Late, Saravana (SM Govender), (Captain), 10th (2nd from right); 11th Sagathevan, Captain (Derrick)
4th row, L-R, 5th, Late, Kurmunundh (K Chutterpaul), (Sergeant); 7th, Mogambery (Bob Govender), (Captain).
“After completion of my basic police training at The South African Police, Indian Training College, Wentworth, Durban I reported to SA Police, Illovo. (Situated between Winklespruit and Karridene. – Google). I lived in a room at the single quarters of the police station and worked shifts from 6am to 2pm, and 2 to 10pm. Crime in the area was not excessive, murders were mostly confined to the reserves. Postmortem examinations were held at the station, in a space behind the charge office by Dr Hendricks of Umkomaas. Whilst he was examining the deceased, the doctor dictated the information, whilst I wrote up; details of the injuries inflicted on a notepad. Bodies were later transported to the mortuary at Scottburgh by the van driver.” – he said
“In 1968 I was transferred to SA Police, Amanzimtoti after which the Illovo Beach Police Station was shutdown.
The Station Commander’s at Amanzimtoti were Warrant Officers Rowlands in 1968 and Schmidt in 1969. No accommodation was provided at Amanzimtoti and most times I had to hitch a ride to and from work, as I had no transport from Pinetown. When I started work, I earned R48.00 per month and after deductions, a net salary of R30.00 per month.” – he said
“In 1969 I was transferred to Isipingo and worked under Warrant Officers EE Keyter, late, followed by MRD Barker; and thereafter Lieutenant RD Coetzee, who’s acting second in command was Lieutenant Soobramoney.
I performed shift and administrative duties from 1 April 1970 to 31 May 1970.
Whilst at Isipingo I underwent an advanced Mechanical Course in the driving, handling, maintenance and upkeep of State-owned motor vehicles in Benoni where I obtained my Code 10 Heavy Duty driver’s licence.” – he said
South African Police
Mechanical School
Benoni
Class 4, 5 & 6
April – May 1970
Front row, seated on mudguard of the motor vehicle, left to right, 2nd M Govender
South African Police
Mechanical School
Benoni
Class 4, 5 & 6
April – May 1970
Fourth row, standing, left to right, 8th M Govender, 2nd from right
Govender married his dear wife, Savy on 1973-04-08.
During 1973 he underwent a Counter-Insurgency training at Maleoskop-Groblersdaal in the Transvaal.
In 1974 he was nominated to attend border duties at Plumtree, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) where he also wrote and successfully completed the promotion examination to Sergeant.
Photograph taken in 1974 at the Base Camp in Plumtree, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). Constable (Bob) Mogamberry Govender with his R1 rifle.
In 1980 he successfully completed a Warrant Officer’s Course.
During the 1980’s Lieutenant Coetzee was succeeded by Lieutenant DS (Sharma) Maharaj.
His second in command was Lieutenant DGS Pillay, late.
However, Pillay was subsequently transferred to Wentworth and was succeeded by Lieutenant (Dickey) Rungasamy Munsamy, (Colonel) who arrived in Isipingo in 1981.
After Colonel Munsamy’s transfer to the Chatsworth District in 1986 (later to SA Police, Phoenix as Station Commander). During 1988 he was succeeded by Lieutenant M Perumal, late, (former Station Commander SA Police, Actonville, Benoni).
In addition to the Uniform Branch, he also worked at the Detective Branch, Isipingo for 1 year under the command of Captain (George) Doraval Govender, (Major General [Professor]).
Thereafter he was appointed the Branch Commander of the Accident and Enquiry staff performing duties such as supervision and inspection of case dockets, etc
Whilst at Isipingo he was also in charge of the Crime Prevention Unit during that period. He was appointed acting Station Commander at Isipingo, where had to visit 10 other police stations in the Durban South district before and after midnight, twice a month.
He and six other Police members made numerous arrests for various types of offences in the Isipingo CBD and the surrounding reserves. Approximately 400 to 500 persons were arrested and charged per month.
In addition to the above duties between 1970 to 1989 he performed duties in the Riot Unit at Kwa-Mashu during the riots, as well as in Umbumbulu, Lamontville and Umlazi.
In 1990 he was transferred to Wentworth Police Station, where he also performed administrative, relief and Crime Prevention duties.
Transcript
“1) Charge : Alt 75/1969/2
Possession of Unlicensed Firearm
Pistol Cal 7.6mm
2) Alt 75/1969/36
Possession of 6 Rounds of Ammo
19th August 1991
“The Station Commander
Sir,
Today, Warrant Officer Govender testified in my court in connection with this matter. He gave excellent evidence. He showed a complete command of all the relevant facts. He had a memory for details and the way he conducted the search was meticulous and thorough. What was particularly impressive was the profound grasp he displayed of some of the technical aspect of cases of this matter. He clearly knows his criminal law and giving evidence such as he gave, makes a prosecutors task easy. Warrant Officer Govender is a credit to the police force. He has, in my view, a good future with the force. I might add that although he was a single witness, the Magistrate had no hesitation in preferring his clear and logical testimony to that of the accused.
AD Collingwood
Public Prosecutor”
The officers in charge were DGS Pillay, late (Captain) and Pete Naidoo, (Lieutenant-Colonel) Bobby Naidoo (Major General) and later VG Naidoo, (Lieutenant-Colonel) in 1993.
“In 1994, I was transferred to the SAPS in Montclair and I worked under Brigadier Sayer and Brigadier CW Grobler, Lieutenant-Colonel S Gounden and Lieutenant-Colonel Pete Naidoo.
In 1995 I completed the Special Candidate Officer’s course at the SA Police, Academy for Advanced Training in Paarl from 15 May 1995 to 15 June 1995, successfully and was promoted to the rank of Captain.” – he said.
South African Police
Academy for Advanced Training Paarl
Candidate
Officer’s Course No 3/1995:Class 1
1995-05-15 to 1995-06-15
Front row, 3rd from right, M Govender;
3rd row, 6th from left Captain AM Adams
4th row, 2nd from left GEP Enoch (Mountain Rise, Pietermaritzburg).
The following decorations and medals awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel, bears testimony of his exemplary conduct in the performance of his police functions.
- The South African Police Border Medal, 1977-06-30;
- The South African Police Seventy Fifth Anniversary Commemorative Medal;
- The South African Police Star Twenty Year Loyal Service Medal;
- The South African Police Medal for Faithful Service, for Long Service and Exemplary Conduct, 10 years 1979-05-01;
Captain (Bob) Mogamberry at his retirement function
On 2000-04-30 after more than three decades of dedicated service, Captain (Bob) Mogamberry Govender retired from the South African Police Service, leaving behind a legacy of honour, integrity, and unwavering commitment. His career stands as a testament to exemplary leadership and meritorious service, earning the respect and gratitude of colleagues and the community alike.
“Captain Mogamberry Govender@ Bob, was always a disciplinarian, who believed in maintaining high standards of discipline. He was an experienced police officer, who performed all the basic functions of policing at operational level with extreme diligence. He always supported his commanders operationally and in police administration. He displayed a high standard of investigation ability at the detective branch, where I was then the Detective Branch Commander at Isipingo SAPS. Commanders could rely on his support as he was always willing to carry out any policing functions without any hesitation. Captain Mogamberry must be applauded for having achieved academically during the latter part of his career, when opportunities were opened for police officials to excel academically towards obtaining higher promotions in the SAPS. Although this was challenging to many colleagues of his age group, he still made sure he achieved his goal of becoming a commissioned officer in the SAPS.” – Major General (Professor) (George) Doraval Govender
“Captain (Bob) Mogamberry Govender is an example of discipline, integrity, and devotion to duty. Throughout his career spanning over three decades, he served the country with dedication and devotion. A veteran officer, of border duty, riot control, and community policing with immense courage. Colleagues and commanders alike admired his sense of fairness, respect for others, and his consistent pursuit of excellence in every task. Beyond the uniform, Captain Govender lives a clean, dignified lifestyle rooted in family values, service, and self-respect. His illustrious career continues to inspire those who follow in his footsteps, the legacy of a resilient officer, a mentor, and a true gentleman of the South African Police Service. I salute you, Sir ! Thank you for serving” – Logan Govender
“agnoscere et honorare servientibus” –
“to acknowledge and honour those who served”
“Soli Deo Gloria” – “To God Alone Glory”
Logan Govender
