- Eastern Cape Police Pensioners Association (ECPPA) chairperson, Brigadier WM Ntsabo, has encouraged retired police members to work together to keep unity in society through the association.
- The ECPPA seeks to restore faith and respect communities used to have for SAPS.
- The ECPPA also wants to remind people that retired SAPS members can still assist the community.
Brigadier WM Ntsabo, chairperson of the newly-formed Eastern Cape Police Pensioners Association (ECPPA), Gqeberha branch, has encouraged retired police members to work together to keep the unity, and make a difference in society through the association.
After members of the South African Police Services retire at the age of 60, Ntsabo says they are often forgotten and fall into the trap of thinking there’s nothing more they can offer society.
This association serves as a reminder to the community and retired SAPS members that just because they have retired, it does not mean they are no longer of service.
Nstabo said,
The second thing the association seeks to do is restore the faith and respect the community used to have for the SAPS.
“We want to have that dignity again, we are tired of the few rotten cops who always paint a bad name for a large number of hardworking, honest men and women in uniform.”
The Gqeberha branch now has 31 members, and in their monthly meetings they discuss not only birthdays and burials, but they also identify retired SAPS members who might need extra financial support.
“Not only that, but we also go into communities and assist where we can. Our next project is to identify schools with really disadvantaged learners, we want to assist those children so they can focus on studying and improving their lives. We also speak to victims of gender-based violence and give them advice on how to deal with those issues, as well as speak to the men about their wrongdoing.”
When he’s not trying to develop communities, Ntsabo can be found jogging in his neighbourhood, using his law qualification as an Advocate of the High Court, or spending time with his family.
“We want to raise awareness about this association, and hopefully recruit more members who have retired, and those who are about to retire. There’s so much work to be done for the community, and more than anything, we need each other, we should stay united and look out for the welfare of our fellow men and women,” concluded Ntsabo.
