Making Joburg safe for residents and interacting with people is what he loves the most about his job. Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer Desmond Ntsumela (42) lives to fight crime. In January, JMPD Acting Chief Angie Mokasi commended Desmond, from JMPD Region C Operations Unit, for the significant role he played in arresting a rape suspect. With his help, a convicted rapist was recently sentenced to life imprisonment. The incident happened in October 2019 when Desmond was on his way to work. He was informed a lady had being raped. He rushed to the given location in Durban Deep, Roodepoort, where he found the victim.
Desmond vividly remembers how the victim was bleeding when he arrived at the scene. The victim confirmed to him she had been raped and informed him of the ordeal.
He wasted no time and apprehended the suspect, who was still in the vicinity and took him to Roodepoort Police Station.
Over the past three years, Desmond has been working closely with the investigation officer and due to his testimony in court and willingness to work hand-in-hand with the Honeydew Family Violence and Child Protection Unit, the 33-year-old attacker was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Desmond says the victim was elated when she heard the suspect was sentenced to life imprisonment. “She was so happy, she hugged me. That is how happy she was.”
He says no one deserves to go through the trauma of being violated. The father of three daughters aged 15, 7 and 5 says it is important for parents to set examples for their children at home.
“It all starts at home.”
Desmond grew up in Meadowlands, Soweto, and was raised by a single mother, Lillian Mashimbye.
He joined JMPD in 2004. A low point in his life was when he was consuming a lot of alcohol, but he is grateful that through the grace of God he has been freed from the shackles of alcohol and he has been clean for over a year.
He wanted more for himself and there is no greater honour to him than fighting crime to make Joburg safe.
He detests crime in all forms. He once nabbed a suspect who stole R100 000 in the CBD and found a vehicle that has been stolen.
“I believe when you pursue a career it needs to be something that you enjoy. I realised I enjoy talking and working with people.”
He obtained a BA Communication Science degree from Unisa in 2014. Desmond treats everyone the same and that is what he did when he was acting as a sergeant in 2022. He describes himself as loving, forgiving and a straight talker.
When he is not fighting crime, he spends time with his family and reads. Desmond is also the chairman of a local soccer team established in 2019. He says keeping children occupied with soccer helps reduce the rate of crime and drugs.
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi
21/04/2023