WELKOM – As South Africa commemorates Women’s Month, the South African Police Service (SAPS) is shining a spotlight on the women in blue who are helping to build a safer, more responsive and professional police service.
Under its national campaign, “Women Leading the Reset Agenda”, SAPS is celebrating female officers whose courage, resilience, dedication and professionalism are making a difference on the frontline, particularly in the protection of women, children and other vulnerable members of society.
Among them is 28-year-old Constable Malearongwa Mokoena, an investigator attached to the Welkom Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
Born and raised in QwaQwa in the Free State, Mokoena began her policing career in 2019 at the SAPS Academy in Graaff-Reinet. After completing the foundational phase of the Basic Police Development Learning Programme in 2020, she was placed at Phuthaditjhaba Police Station.
Her journey into specialised investigations was not something she had initially anticipated.
Mokoena was the only member of her group to be placed at the Welkom FCS Unit — a posting that would ultimately shape her career and deepen her commitment to protecting vulnerable victims.
At first, she had reservations about working in an environment where investigations often involve deeply traumatic crimes against women and children.
“I never envisaged joining the FCS Unit because I thought I would become too emotionally involved in cases involving women, children and other vulnerable people,” she said.
Instead of allowing those concerns to deter her, Mokoena chose to trust in her faith and embrace the responsibility placed before her.
A case that demanded determination
One of the recent cases that illustrates the impact of her work involved a 34-year-old stepfather who repeatedly raped his minor stepdaughter between 2017 and 2018.
The abuse continued over an extended period, while the perpetrator allegedly used threats to silence the young victim. He threatened to evict the victim and her mother from his home if she revealed what had happened.
Despite the intimidation, the victim eventually found the courage to break her silence and report the abuse to police.
Mokoena’s investigation helped build a strong case that was ultimately presented before the Bothaville Regional Court.
According to the information supplied by SAPS, the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment on two counts of rape on 29 May 2029. The date appears to be inconsistent with the current 2026 timeline and should be verified before publication.
The case highlights the critical role played by FCS investigators, who must not only gather evidence and prepare cases for court, but also ensure that victims are treated with dignity and compassion throughout the process.
Giving victims back their voice
For Mokoena, policing in the FCS environment is about much more than securing convictions.
“Being an FCS investigator is more than just an investigative job. Through my meticulous investigations, perpetrators are brought to book and victims of sexual offences reclaim their power,” she said.
She is also pursuing a degree in Police Science and uses her experience to encourage victims of sexual offences to report abuse.
Her message is simple: speaking out gives police the opportunity to investigate, gather evidence and pursue justice against those responsible.
Mokoena’s approach reflects the principles underpinning the SAPS Reset Agenda — ethical leadership, accountability, professionalism and service excellence.
Her work demonstrates that effective policing extends beyond enforcing the law. It is also about listening to victims, protecting those who are vulnerable and ensuring that every case is handled with integrity and purpose.
Through women such as Mokoena, SAPS is seeking to demonstrate how female leadership can contribute to restoring public confidence in policing while strengthening the response to crimes that continue to devastate families and communities.
You must be logged in to post a comment.