Reservist receives top award
Rademeyer has devoted 41 years of his life to fighting crime – for no pay
WITH more than 41 years’ experience chasing criminals, one of the Eastern Cape’s longestserving reservists won a national award for his commitment to fighting crime across Nelson Mandela Bay.
Captain Garth Rademeyer, 62, who lives in Gelvandale, has spent the better part of his life putting gangsters, robbers and other dangerous criminals behind bars.
His dedication to fighting crime netted Rademeyer the reservist of the year award at the annual National Service Excellence Awards Ceremony in Sandton at the weekend.
The humble husband and father of four worked as a manager in the retail sector before being medically boarded several years ago.
Shortly after leaving his job, Rademeyer suffered a heart attack prompting him to get back on his feet and fight crime.
“The doctor told me I needed to do something to keep me busy.
“By that stage, I had already been in the police for several years so I just carried on working more hours,” he said.
According to his record, Rademeyer works an average of 56 hours a week without pay – and has dedicated most of his life to ridding the metro of crime.
“I joined the reservists when I was 21 years old with the goal of doing my bit to make the town a safer place,” Rademeyer said. “Some 41 years later, I am still here doing what I can to make the people of Port Elizabeth feel safer.”
Rademeyer spends his days and nights patrolling the Bay’s streets, helping out where he can.
He said he had always wanted to be a policeman but back when he was a youngster parents had to give permission for anyone under the age of 21 to join the police force. As his parents refused permission, he was unable to join the police and went into another field.
As soon as he turned 21, he enrolled as a reservist.
“For me, it is about sharing my experience with those who want to learn and showing new and old recruits the way to get the best results.
“Over the years, I have learnt a lot so I would like to pass on my knowledge to others so that they can also benefit from what I have learnt.”
Rademeyer started in the reservists at the Gelvendale police station, where he spent 27 years.
“I spent a large part of my days combating gang violence in the northern areas,” he said.
From there, he worked at several police stations across the Bay before starting at Humewood police station nine years ago.
Rademeyer now runs one of the Bay’s elite crime-fighting trio task teams at Humewood police station.
“I have learnt the best way to catch criminals is to have patience and do a lot of planning. I have a strong team behind me which helps in getting results,” he said.
Asked what his secret to arresting hundreds of criminals was, Rademeyer laughed saying that his recipe for success was classified.
“You don’t do this job for the money, you do it for the greater good and to arrest those who can harm others,” he said.
Humewood police commander Brigadier Ronald Koll, who has been working with Rademeyer for 30 years, described him as a professional, dedicated and disciplined official who went the extra mile to help those in need.
“If anyone deserves this award it is him. He goes above and beyond and is always willing to step in and assist where he can,” he said.
The Bay’s specialist gang task team investigation branch – which was recently taken over by a new commander – came second in the detective team of the year category for their work done under former commander Major Mike Grobler.
The task team is responsible for investigating all gang-related shootings and murders.
Cradock-based Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit detective Constable Monica Bouwer won the detective of the year category for locking up serial rapist Timothy Mzini, 23.
Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner General Celiwe Binta, who was at the ceremony, said: “Winning is not about who gets the final prize. Being nominated is a great achievement on its own.”
