I joined the police in 1994, about the time of the elections. I started as a clerk but soon became involved in the action. That’s the part I loved — the action! For the most part of my career I was based at Parkview police station.
For any high-ranking policeman to say crime has gone down is nonsense. The crime stats do not look good. We need more serious punishment. If you can take someone else’s life, you must be willing to give your own life. Have you been to a prison? They watch DStv in prison nowadays!
Gené Olivier, 34, Ex-police officer, Sophiatown, JohannesburgVote quote: “I’ve always voted DA, but this year I will consider voting for Cope.” (Photo: Oupa Nkosi)
I will tell you why we won the fight against crime at Parkview — Superintendent Loubser [the station commissioner] was a strict man who believed in discipline. He was also your buddy, but when you worked, you had respect for him.
The community was also involved in what we did. They raised money and presented police officers with awards that meant a lot to them.
But I couldn’t go on like that; it wasn’t fair to my child. I couldn’t work the nightshift any longer.
In February I was hijacked in front of the house. I came back to fetch my toilet bag to go and shower at work because the substation exploded and we didn’t have electricity for a few days. They [the hijackers] looked like builders. I don’t trust people anymore. I don’t trust a black man that walks up the street. I don’t give beggars money anymore. I have anger issues.
I love South Africa but I sometimes think they hide things from us to make it look good.
What happened to the promises of 1994? If you go to the townships you’ll see how bad things are for their own people.
I’ve always voted DA, but this year I will consider voting for Cope. It may still be a small party, but they definitely have the most inside information on the ANC. They know what mistakes the ANC have made and I hope and pray that they will be able to fix them.
It doesn’t matter that they have a black leader. Race doesn’t matter. I read an interview with him [Mvume Dandala] in Huisgenoot. I liked when he said God is leading him to be a stronger leader. He’s got a good heart. Zuma will say anything to anyone to get his or her vote. Now he’s trying to bullshit the Afrikaners. A few years ago he was one of those who said ‘one bullet, one boer’. Now he flirts with them! He treats us like idiots.
My mother had to go to Jo’burg Gen [general hospital] recently. What an absolute disgrace. Everything is dirty. And the attitude of the staff! My sister’s domestic worker recently had a miscarriage at nine months in another hospital. In the hospital.
I wasn’t brought up in a racist house, but if they can’t even treat their own properly, what about us?
My husband was shortlisted for the Western Australia police, but I said no. Two of his pals are already there. Yes, I am frustrated about crime and corruption, but I still love this country. But maybe things will get worse before they get better.