SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SUBRAMONIA PILLAI

PIONEER, LEADER, ROLE MODEL AND GREATEST LEGEND

Colonel Subramonia Pillai (1927–1982) was a pioneering Indian South African police officer whose distinguished service and trailblazing career broke through the rigid racial barriers of apartheid-era policing. Born on 10 February 1927, he joined the South African Police on 13 July 1949 and went on to serve the force with distinction for over three decades. Rising through the ranks at a time when Indians and other non-white South Africans faced systemic exclusion from senior police positions, Pillai became the first Indian first Indian Station Commander at Chatsworth Unit 2, the first Indian commissioned officer. First Indian Graduate in the SA Police – Circa 1975. His most significant appointment came when he was named Officer Commanding of the Wentworth Police Training College, where he was responsible for training new recruits and fostering discipline and professionalism among officers of colour. Revered for his leadership, integrity, and academic excellence, Colonel Pillai became a symbol of progress and pride for the Indian community in Chatsworth and throughout South Africa. His career embodied perseverance against adversity and inspired future generations to pursue public service with dedication and honor. Although he passed away on 5 December 1982, Colonel Pillai’s contributions continue to be recognized posthumously — particularly through police heritage archives such as Nongqai, which celebrate him as one of the greatest legends of the South African Police.

LATE LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SUBRAMONIA PILLAI

(Photograph was kindly colourised by Ms Jenny Bosch)

Subramonia Pillai was born o 10^th February 1927 in Overport, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

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

Served at SA Police Stamford Hill; Overport; Sydenham; Bellair: Chatsworth

First Indian Station Commander Chatsworth Unit 02 – 1965-09-18

First Indian Commissioned Officer 1^st July 1970

First Indian Graduate in the SA Police – Circa 1975

First Indian Commanding Officer, Wentworth, Police Training College – 1977-q0-01

South African Police

Overport

December 1961

(Source Captain Krish Reddy)

Members Identified

Second row, seated, from left to right, 4^th, late, Indian Senior Sergeant S Pillai; (Lieutenant-Colonel Subramonia Pillai. – [LG]) 6^th Govindaraj (Mike) Nagamuthoo, (still enjoying his retirement at the age of 89 years [Born 29 August 1935 at Magazine Barracks in Durban].- [LG]).

Rear row, standing, from left to right, 2^nd late, Constable Perumal Subben. He is also the Dad of late, Colonel (Selva) Mogambury Perumal, former Station Commander of SA Police, Unit 5, Chatsworth; 4^th late, Indian Constable Jalaser, (later Warrant Officer, based at Sydenham. He was also a part-time Wrestling Instructor at the SA Police, Training College, Wentworth, Durban – [LG]; 6^th late, Indian Constable Moonsamy (Dad of Captain Krish Reddy – [LG]); 8^th late, Indian Constable G Paliathan, (later transferred to SA Police, Unit 2, Chatsworth)

CONTRIBUTION BY CAPTAIN DME LAZARUS IDENTIFICATION OF MEMBERS IN THE ABOVE PHOTOGRAPH

Photograph Captain DME Lazarus

(Source Captain Lazarus)

“The following members were stationed at the SAP Chatsworth (Old Unit 2 Police station)

Standing left to right, 1^st late Constable Chinsamy; 2^nd late Sergeant Perumal (P Subban) father of the late Col M Perumal, both stationed during that time and at the New SAP Chatsworth at Chatsworth Circle. 1^st on the right, late Sgt G Paliathan (Polly)

Seated Left to right, 2^nd on the left is the late Sgt Arumugam (Arumugam Naidoo) uncle of Lt- Col S Govender (Sivie /Siva) ex SAP Chatsworth 4^th late

Lt Col S Pillai the first Indian Station Commander of SAP Chatsworth and the first Indian Commander of SAP Wentworth Training College.

Seated on the ground, left to right, 1^st Late Constable B Naidoo (Bala)

late Sgt D Jalaser and Retired Nagamuthu . The other members I cannot recall. – [DMEL])”

“Dad (late Sergeant Subben Perumal – [LG]) met late Colonel Pillai while they worked at the Overport police station. They became good friends and visited each other often. As a result, our families became close, and we spent much time in each other’s homes”. – said Lalitha Munien (Daughter of Sergeant Subben Perumal – [LG]).

From left to right, I/Lance Sergeant DJ Lamech; I/Second Class Sergeant Kristnasami; I/Senior (First Class) Sergeant Govindsamy Reddy; I/Chief Sergeant S Pillai, Station Commander, SA Police, Unit 2, Chatsworth

(I include this photograph as it depicts the rank structure that Non-White members were restricted to up until July 1970 – [LG])

(Source family of Lieutenant-Colonel S Pillai)

Chief Sergeant S Pillai and Warrant Officer GM (Sterk-Gert) Smit, Brigadier discuss plans for the new Chatsworth Police Station – the first entirely Indian-Staffed station in South Africa. In the background a section of the temporary police station can be seen.

(Photograph was kindly colourised by Ms Jenny Bosch)

Late Subramonia Pillai as a Special Grade Chief Sergeant, a new rank created just for Non-White members

(Source family of Lieutenant-Colonel S Pillai)

Late, Lieutenant Subramonia Pillai, (Lieutenant-Colonel) proudly standing on the parade ground at the Passing Out Parade of the first group of Black, Coloured and Indian South African Police Commissioned Officers (Lieutenants) during 1970 at the South African Police New Modder Training Institution, Benoni, Gauteng Province

(Source: family of late, Lieutenant-Colonel S Pillai, black and white photograph kindly colourised by Ms Jennifer Bosch)

The Divisional Commissioner, SA Police, Port Natal Division, Brigadier (Barry) HJ Schroeder, congratulates both Captains Pillai and Nayager on their recent (1974) promotion to the rank of Captain

 

After his graduation Captain Pillai is seen with his dear wife Vimla, being congratulated by the Mayor of Isipingo, His Worship Mr Falcon Khan, circa 1975

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.

The following medals awarded to Colonel Subramoni Pillai, bears testimony of his exemplary conduct in the performance of his  police functions.

• 1967–07-13 The South African Police Medal for Faithful Service (10 years), for Long Service and Exemplary Conduct;
• 1979 -05-01 The South African Police Star for Faithful service (20 years), for Faithful Service and Exemplary Conduct;
• 1979-07-13 The South African Police Star for Merit (30 years), Faithful Service and Exemplary Conduct.

Served for 33 years

He sadly passed on 5^th December 1982.

“The life journey of Colonel Pillai, is a richly woven biography which reads like a novel, depicting the struggles and accolades to put his future at the service of the present, replacing helplessness with choice and decision. Colonel Subramonia Pillai, the legend, hero, mentor, and coach too many, will be remembered for years to come, both in the minds of men and women in blue and by the community he served so diligently.” – Major General (Professor) (George) Doraval Govender

I vividly remember his official funeral. I participated in the leading detachment (guard of honour) led by the late Capt Lamech. I remember how each Com missioned Officer from all the armed forces ap proached the grave and gave a final salute. I re member the Police Band which he established playing the LAST POST and REVELLE in his hon our and said to myself “THIS WAS A MAN”. In his honour I crafted a table shield with a brass plaque with the words “IT WILL TAKE MOST MEN MANY LIFETIMES TO ACHIEVE WHAT THIS MAN HAS ACHIEVED IN ONE LIFETIME.” – Brigadier (Natty) NG Govender

“agnoscere et honorare servientibus” –

“to acknowledge and honour those who served”

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

Logan Govender