South African Police Service: Lieutenant-Colonel Rukahia Bibi Khan: A Woman of Indomitable Spirit
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL RUKAHIA BIBI KHAN
A WOMAN OF INDOMITABLE SPIRIT
By Col Logan Govender
Khan graduated with Bachelor of Administration with Specialisation in Public Management at the University of Pretoria
Rukahia Bibi Khan was born in Tongaat, North Coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal on 1961-10-18. She attended Fairbreeze Primary School and thereafter Tongaat Victoria Primary School for a short while before attending Buffelsdale Secondary School, where she completed Standard 10 (Matric) in 1979.
In 1980 Khan she served a few months at Natest Primary School, Mount Edgecombe as a locum teacher.
Khan began her career as the first clerk at SA Police, Mount Edgecombe on 1981-01-20.
On 1987-10-07 the Mount Edgecombe Station and its staff relocated to SAPS Phoenix.
Khan was transferred to SAPS Tongaat on 1992-11-30. Khan worked at Tongaat from 1992-11-30 until 2000-01-14.
The family relocated to Gauteng in January 2000.
She was transferred to National Head Office Finance and Admin, Civil Claims Section on 2000-01-14.
Thereafter she was subsequently promoted to The National Head Office, Crime Intelligence Division Secret Service account as Chief Admin Clerk on 2001-11-01.
On 2005-08-01 she was promoted to the rank of Captain, in accordance with The Police Act and posted to The National Head Office, PSS. (Maupa Naga Building Sunnyside Pretoria).
On 2008-02-15 she underwent the Officers Programme at SAPS Academy Paarl.
South African Police Service
Training Institution
Paarl
Officer’s Programme Internal Administrative
Efficiency (IAE) Class 31/2007 (2008-01-13 to 2008-02-15)
HEAD OFFICE
Member Identified:-
Middle row, left to right, 13th from left, RB Khan, 1st from right
On 2015-09-01 she was promoted to Lt Colonel at National Head Office Division SCM.
She has a son, Lieutenant-Colonel Mohammed Wazir Khan, stationed at SA Police, Stanger.
On 2021-10-31 Lt Col Khan retired from the service.
Service medals awarded to her
South African Police Service Medal commemorating 100 years of Policing 1913 to 2013; South African Police Ten Year commemorating 10 years of Amalgamation from 1995-2005; South African Police Service Medal commemorating the hosting of the Soccer World Cup Support 2010.
“From the moment she donned her uniform, she exemplified the qualities that are the bedrock of effective policing: integrity, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to justice. She faced the challenges of her role with a blend of grace and tenacity, breaking through barriers and setting new standards for what women in the police force can achieve.” – Haseena Khan, LLB(Law), BHSc(Hons), BSc, Assoc Compliance Specialist, PPCM
Global Quality & Compliance PPD, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific PPD Africa & Middle East
“My mum was 19 years old when she started working in the SA Police force. It was not difficult for her to strike a balance between work, family commitments and religious obligations. In fulfilling these obligations, she demonstrated extraordinary strength and resilience. She possesses the unique ability to organize and prioritize both her personal and professional life. She focused on her career and went on to study, obtaining her Bachelor of Administration degree with specialization in Public Administration from the University of Pretoria. My mum served in the SAPS from 1981-01-20 until 2021-10-31 a total of 40 years. She served 19 years in KwaZulu Natal. In 2000 we moved to Pretoria. My mum served 21 years in Pretoria, Gauteng. Moving to Gauteng was the best decision for the entire family. My mum retired on 2021-10-31 as a Lieutenant Colonel in the SAPS.” –Zakir Khan, B Com Law. LLB (Law). Masters International Tax. Employed at Graphene Economics
“agnoscere et honorare servientibus” –
“to acknowledge and honour those who served”
“Soli Deo Gloria” – “To God Alone Glory”
Logan Govender