Double tragedy for Sandile Mdziniso’s family

MBEKELWENI – It was a double blow for Sandile Mdziniso’s family this past week, as not only did they lose the former Commissioner of Police but another member of the family died.

The family lost Princess Cwasho Simelane, who was married to Vusi Mdziniso. This was revealed by Solomon Shongwe, who was speaking on behalf of the area’s chief.
Shongwe was brief in making this announcement, thanking all those who came for the former police commissioner’s funeral.

He urged the mourners to assist the family with the burial of the other relative today.
The Times SUNDAY gathered that Simelane succumbed to death on Monday.
There was a memorial service yesterday afternoon at Mbekelweni Lutheran Church.
She was to be laid to rest this morning, also at Mbekelweni.

Meanwhile, the late member of the King’s Advisory Council was lauded as being influential in forming the Southern African Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation.
This was revealed by James Magagula, Assistant Commissioner of Police during the funeral of Mdziniso at his homestead in Mbekelweni yesterday morning. James represented Isaac Magagula, the Commissioner of Police.
Mdziniso passed away last Friday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Pretoria, South Africa where he had spent two months.

James explained that the organisation Mdzinizo pioneered strengthens cooperation between police chiefs in the SADC region when it comes to matters relating to crime.
He said through this organisation, police within the region were able to get stolen property from one country to another without a problem.

“Mdziniso introduced a lot of changes in the police force.
The police college today has a Command Studies Wing, which specialises in teaching command studies because of him,” said the assistant commissioner.
He said the command wing at the police college now also assisted police officers from other countries in the SADC Region as far as command studies are concerned.

He hailed the former police chief for ensuring that the welfare of police in the country was well taken care of.
He added that Mdziniso also introduced the divisions of zones in the cities, which encouraged community policing.
He said during his time as a police officer, Mdziniso served with diligence until he retired at the age of 60.
“As we saw him serve in higher structures in the country, credit went to the police force,” stated Magagula who was full of praises for the former police chief.

He said even after retiring from the police force, Mdziniso always contributed towards the improvement of the force. He said from time to time when they encountered problems, they would always go to him for advice and he would freely and willingly assist them.
The assistant commissioner explained that Mdziniso passing away was not only a loss for the family but for the whole country. He said he wished his children would learn a lot from him as he was a man of integrity.