PERSONALITY PROFILE

Lieutenant Colonel Marli Strydom

In conversation with Lieutenant Colonel Marli Strydom, tireless crusader for the bruised and battered victims of gender-based violence (GBV).

Regarded by many as a ‘mother to the motherless’, Lieutenant Colonel Marli Strydom has been with the South African Police Service (SAPS) for almost 30 years. She has served as the Unit Commander for the FCS (Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences) Unit in Galeshewe, near Kimberley, in the Northern Province since 2018, securing more than 20 life sentences and 1,581 years imprisonment for GBV (gender-based violence) perpetrators, and was recognised by Minister of Public Service and Administration, Senzo Mchunu as second runner-up in the ‘Best Operational Employee’ category in the National Batho Pele Excellence Awards in 2020.

Her unflagging dedication to ‘bruised, battered and emotionally-scarred GBV victims’ has seen her provide muchneeded closure for families over the years, including that of two-year-old Michaila Springbok, who was kidnapped, raped, and then strangled to death in 2019. Her badly mutilated body was found in the Vaal River in Delportshoop after a frantic search by police and the community, says Marli, who spent sleepless nights leading the tracing operation, providing the family with up-to-date information on the progress of the search party, and supporting, comforting, and facilitating counselling sessions for them. In March 2020, the killer, Johannes Morwe, who was known to the family, was convicted, and sentenced to two life sentences as well as an additional 21 years imprisonment by the Kimberley High Court.

Despite the many harrowing cases in which she’s been involved, Marli’s commitment to serving the community with ‘respect, empathy, and integrity; and ensuring that victims receive accurate information and stay well-informed of the status of their cases’, keeps her positive.

Growing up

Born and raised in Barkly West in the Northern Cape, Marli is the eldest of five daughters. “We were known as the Holtzhausen Clan, she laughs, noting the freedom that she and her siblings enjoyed growing up. “We could walk to the swimming pool and spend the whole day there without being afraid of being hurt. We could be children, without any worries,” she adds on a more sombre note.

Her mom insisted that all her girls participate in team sports, and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Luckily Marli loved sport, and by the age of five, she was swimming in galas. She went on to play netball, korfball (softball) and tennis, and participate in biathlons. Another of her great loves was – and still is – reading. “Nothing is better than the smell of a new book,” she recalls.

As an adult, she represented the Northern Cape in netball, biathlon, and korfball, going on to play for South Africa’s korfball team. She also took up mountain biking, and still rides actively on a regular basis.

From a young age, Marli dreamed of becoming a doctor. With four other siblings to educate, however, there weren’t funds to pay for her studies. Determined to find a career in which she could make a difference, she turned her sights to the South African Police Service (SAPS). “There were a number of different careers available and I realised that I would enjoy being a detective… the detective movies on TV probably also played a huge role in my decision!” she laughs. “I knew I was going to be a police official before I knew that I had passed matric! On the day that I was supposed to collect my final matric results from my school, I had an interview with SAPS recruitment, so my mom had to fetch them.

“I began my police career as a ‘verrrry’ young 17-year-old in 1994, fresh out of school. I only turned 18 when I was at the Oudtshoorn Police Academy, where I did my six months’ basic training. From there, I joined the Visible Policing Unit in Barkly West as a constable. I was very fortunate to start at a small station because I was taught to do everything, from attending to complaints to completing the different registers — knowledge that I still use today. Two years later, I applied for a transfer to the General Detective Branch at Barkly West, where I became their first-ever female detective — at last, I was where I wanted to be!”

At the same time, Marli represented SAPS Northern Cape in netball, tennis, functional fitness, and mountain biking. This led to her being chosen to represent the National South African SAPS Teams in functional fitness and mountain biking. She also qualified as a ‘Learn to Swim Coach’, teaching children and grownups water safety — her way of giving back to the community. And, when she gets the opportunity, she bakes birthday cakes, which is how she really relaxes.

One of her very first cases when she was still a new detective was that of a young girl who was abducted by a man known to the community. “He took her to a field and when she tried to escape, he caught her again and broke her arm in the process. He then raped her and left her to find her way back to town. On the day of the trial, this brave little girl – with her arm still in plaster – stood up to the defense lawyer, who tried his best to dishonour her. She remained calm, and testified with the dignity that a much older person would have admired. She was a star and I always will remember that.”

Another career success was the chase and arrest of a serial rapist who terrorised the communities of Galeshewe and Kagisho from 2014 to 2018. “He robbed, assaulted, and raped the victims without using condoms. We had all these DNA hits, but no suspect, because his DNA hadn’t yet been captured in the system. Meanwhile, he was becoming more and more violent and aggressive. The turning point came when he was arrested for being in possession of a stolen vehicle in Grahamstown. We linked him to 14 cases and arrested him. He was found guilty on 12 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, 14 counts of rape, two counts of attempted robbery, and six counts of kidnapping. He ended up with three life sentences and an additional 441 years imprisonment.”

What inspires you?

“My motto is that if I help just one victim for the day, then I have served my purpose. I am here to protect and serve my community, and even the smallest ‘thank you’ is enough to keep me positive. I also know that I can be the difference that I want to see and that I must lead by example.”

Goals

“Currently, I am the Unit Commander of Galeshewe FCS, the biggest FCS Unit in the Northern Cape. We’re performing very well thanks to me having the best team any commander could wish for. My goal for the unit is to continue excelling, and to empower every member so that they can reach their full potential.”

“I am also assisting another unit, which doesn’t have a commander at the moment — my short-term goal is to guide them to the same level of expertise as Galeshewe FCS. For the future, I would like to work as the Coordinator of the Northern Cape FCS Units and share my knowledge with all of them.”

Gender-based violence

“GBV is something that will not just disappear, and the perspective of South Africans must be changed in this regard. Women must realise that they are not the weaker sex just because they are women. They have the same rights as men and can stand on their own feet. And men must realise the same.

“Another concern is the ‘I-do-notwant-to-get-involved, it’s-not-my business’ attitude of people. If a crime is committed against a woman, child, or elderly person, it MUST be reported. We cannot turn a blind eye.”

Day-to-day responsibilities

Marli’s key responsibilities include providing victims of GBV crimes with support and feedback on a weekly basis, apprehending perpetrators of rape, abduction, sexual and other assaults, and child neglect, and ensuring that cases are successfully prosecuted. Her unit also conducts awareness campaigns aimed at empowering communities, and works with schools, places of worship and the elderly, on special projects.

Best advice

“It’s incredibly fulfilling being a police official. I enjoy my work, and I love the interaction with the members and the community. Youngsters considering a career in the police force need to look beyond the salary if they want to be successful: they must want to be the change they want to see, they must never, ever forget that every docket is a victim, they must respect one another, and they must always stay humble. And they must appreciate life.”