Captain Scharl Basson, 57, the branch commander at Fish Hoek police station, is retiring today, Monday March 31, after 36 years of service in the South African Police Service (SAPS).
As the station bid farewell to Captain Basson on Friday March 28, heartfelt speeches were made, acknowledging his contributions over the years.
Detective Warrant Officer Joe Scheepers, left, who will be the acting detective branch commander is pictured with Captain Scharl Basson, right, who retired after 39 years of service.
Image: Yolande Du Preez
Fish Hoek station commander Lieutenant Colonel Belinda Gaffoor said the entire station was proud of him and wished him well in his retirement.
Captain Basson began his career as a police officer on February 1, 1989 in Franschhoek after matriculating. His involvement with the police started during his school years when he worked as a junior reservist and assisted with administrative tasks during holidays.
“I enjoyed it and learned a lot about police work,” he said.
Following police college, he was stationed at Kirstenhof police station before moving to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Diep River in 1991 as a Lance Sergeant.
When Kirstenhof opened its own CID branch in 1992, he transferred back.
He lived in Kuils River and requested a transfer to Kuils River CID, which was approved.
In 1993, he got married and the following year moved to the Wynberg police station’s CID department, where he worked until 2017.
That year, he was promoted to captain and accepted a promotional position at Fish Hoek police station.
Captain Basson said he has no specific plans for his retirement beyond spending time with his wife, Charmaine, who is also retired, and his elderly mother.
“I’m going to just relax and spend time with my family, and will see what I do,” he said.
Reflecting on his career, Captain Basson recalled his first day on duty when he was called to a car accident scene. A motorbike had collided with a car, and he quickly realised the difference between training and real-life policing.
“It was stressful as I was still unsure of myself,” he said.
One of the most notable cases of his career was a murder investigation during his time at Wynberg CID. A body was discovered in a resident’s front garden, and after an extensive investigation, a man and a woman were arrested, found guilty, and sentenced.
“The SAPS has looked after me well,” he said, adding that he had particularly fond memories of his time at Wynberg CID.
His wife, Charmaine, said she had always understood the pressures of the job, as her father was also a police officer.
“I was always worried when he got called out, but you hope and pray for the best,” she said.
Lieutenant Colonel Gaffoor, described Captain Basson as “old school.”
“We shall miss our captain and yet we are happy that he gets to spend time with his family and enjoy the retirement that is so well deserved. We will cherish the memories, the good and the bad, as life has taught us to walk hand in hand,” she said.
Detective Warrant Officer Joe Scheepers will take over as acting detective branch commander until the position is permanently filled.
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