BRITS POS – BRITS - “As employees of the South African Police Service our foremost priority must be the obligation to collectively render service to the community”, these are the profound words of the newly appointed Station Commander of Brits, Brigadier Noriel Kepadisa when she took up her new position on 1 January 2025, with 32 years of service.
Background
Brigadier Kepadisa was born and bred at Ramosadi village in Mahikeng and she commenced her schooling years at Stadt Primary in 1979. She completed her matric at Letsatsing High School, Mahikeng in 1991.
Service
She commenced her journey as a police official in the former Bophuthatswana Police when she went for training at Tswana Territorial Authority commonly known as TTA on 21 April 1992, and served under the Protection Unit. The zealousness to maintain law and order inspired her to join the police.
SAPS career
In her career as a police official, the position of being a station commander traces its tale from when she was appointed as Station Commander of Ottoshoop at the rank of Captain in 2003. She subsequently moved to Mooinooi police station where she served as a station commander at the level of Lieutenant Colonel in 2005. After the restructuring, she moved to Brits in 2007 when she was appointed as a Relief Commander at the level of Lieutenant Colonel. In 2015, Brig Kepadisa was appointed as Brits Visible Policing (VISPOL) Commander at the rank of Colonel.
“Some of the problematic crimes that are committed around the four sectors within the policing vicinity of Brits include all assaults, stock theft, robberies (street robberies) car hijacking and theft of motor vehicles”, said Brig Kepadisa. She further said that her mission and vision is to lower the aforementioned crimes, by ensuring that complaints receive prompt attention, detectives provide progress on registered dockets and give feedback to the community. Furthermore, the community will also be engaged through awareness campaigns to draw their attention and sensitise them on pressing societal issues such as Gender Based Violence.
In all truth, Brig Kepadisa is of the opinion that crime combatting can only attain its level of efficacy through the holistic multi-disciplinary approach consisting of other stakeholders such as the Department of Correctional Services, Traffic, Social Development, Education, Health, Justice, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Traffic, Liquor Board, Consumer Rights, Non-Profitable Organisations (NPOs) and Security companies.
Kepadisa holds a National Diploma in Policing and a B-Tech degree in Policing. The Brigadier is known by those in her close circle as a humble senior manager with an outspoken personality and approachable. Brig Kepadisa is a mother of two children who enjoys aerobics, as an extra-mural activity. She is also a champion of the Women’s Network in Bojanala District 1.
“Brits SAPS has pulled all strands to ensure that the current relationship with Community Police Forum (CPF) is strengthened by sharing vital information on various platforms such as Station Crime Combatting Forum, CPF monthly meetings, sector meetings and social media groups”, said Brig Kepadisa. She further urged CPF members to prioritise their safety and offer advice to the community regarding crime related issues.
In conclusion, Brig Kepadisa urges female police officers to come out of the closet, excel in their duties and study hard, whether it be a cleaner at station level or constable.
“The community must also come forward and share valuable information with the police or the CPF members on the following contact numbers: 012 281 6082, 08600 1011 or 112.
