SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE: NO 01509314 SERGEANT GANESAN ARUMUGAM: A FORMER STALWART POLICE MEMBER OF SA POLICE, MAYVILLE, UNIT 2, CHATSWORTH, MOUNT EDGECOMBE AND PHOENIX & STILL ENJOYING HIS RETIREMENT AT THE AGE OF 83 YEARS OLD
(Researched, authored, edited and set out for publication with the information obtained by Logan Govender [LG]) from his son Warrant Officer SG Govender, stationed at SA Police, Cato Manor; various other individuals and former police members. – [LG])
Sergeant Ganesan Armugam and his dear wife, Gonasagrie apparently taken at a recent birthday.
INTRODUCTION BY COL LOGAN GOVENDER
Sergeant Ganesan Arumugam came to my attention through Captain DME Lazarus. Numerous attempts were made to interview him telephonically but were not very successful; Arumugam due to his advanced age is hard of hearing. I tried to even speak to Mrs Gonasagrie Arumugam, but she unfortunately is not aware of or couldn’t remember much regarding his police career Several former members were also contacted but no information was forthcoming. His son Warrant Officer SG Govender provided some information, and the photographs.
In the light of such challenges not much information of his early life and his police career is known. [LG]
This appears to be a school photograph of Sergeant
identify where he is in this photograph
Sergeant Ganesen Arumugam was born on 1941-11-30.
He was enlisted into the South African Police on 1964-02-25 at SA Police, Unit 2, Chatsworth.
On 1964-04-01 he attended his basic police training at the former SA Police, Non-European (Indian) Training Depot (College) from 1964-04-01 till 1964-09-30 (6 months). He was in Platoon 4.
Photograph 04
A group photograph taken on their arrival for their basic police training at the former SA Police, NonEuropean (Indian) Training Depot (College), Wentworth, Durban with members of the Training Staff.
Members
Identified
Rear row, (Krish) Chetty, late, Detective Warrant Officer is standing with the white T shirt (Identified by his daughter, Mrs Tania Hollingwood. –[LG])
Second row, seated, left to right, 5th First Class Sergeant Govindsamy Reddy, late, Captain; 6th Lance Sergeant Morgan Chetty, late, Lieutenant General; National Chief Deputy Commissioner. Other members were unfortunately not identified
05
Group photograph of the platoon practicing foot drill dressed in overalls and helmets
06
Another group photograph of platoon practicing foot drill skills dressed in overalls and helmets
Photograph 07
South African Police: Non-European (Indian) Training Depot (College), Wentworth, Durban
Platoon 4: 1964-04-01 to 1964-09-30 (6 months)
Members Identified
First row, left to right, 10th (Kenny) GC Pillay (Warrant Officer - [LG])
Second row, left to right, 5th Arumugam (Sergeant Ganesan Arumugam. – [LG]); 12th S Chetty, Troop Leader, late (Detective Warrant Officer (Krish) Chetty. - [LG])
Third row, left to right, 5th, Chitanand, (Major General Hans Jissok, first Indian Area Commissioner, Durban. – [LG]); 11th Shamlall, (Warrant Officer Sham Singh, first Indian Station Commander of SA Police, Lenasia, Johannesburg. – [LG])
(According to my knowledge the three mentioned above, Major General Hans Jissok; Warrant Officer Kenny (GC) Pillay, Sham Singh and of course Sergeant Ganesan Arumugam are over 80 years old and are still enjoying their retirement. – [LG])
SAP MAYVILLE
After completion of basic police training, Arumugam was thereafter posted to SA Police, Mayville.
SAP CHATSWORTH
On 1966-03-07 he was posted to SA Police, Chatsworth, Unit 2.
Photograph 14
Special Grade Chief Sergeant Subramonia Pillai, late, (Lieutenant-Colonel)
(Source of photograph Lieutenant-Colonel S Pillai. Black and White provided by Brigadier (Natty) NG Govender and kindly colourised by Ms Jennifer Bosch. - [LG])
MARRIAGE
He married his dear wife, Gonasagrie on 1970-08-11
Certificate of Award 01
The South African Police Medal for Faithful Service (10 years), for Long Service and Exemplary Conduct was awarded to him on 1979-05-01
SAP PINETOWN
On 1980-02-20 he was transferred to SA Police, Pinetown and thereafter on 1981-02-20 to SA Police, Malvern.
15
SA Police, Pinetown, old station
Photograph 16
SA Police, Malvern
SAP MOUNT EDGECOMBE
On 1984-3-30 he was posted to SA Police, Mount Edgecombe.
Photograph 17
Black and white photograph of SA Police, Mount Edgecombe
(Source Captain Hansraj)
According to the Editor in Chief of Nongqai, his Dad, Constable Abraham Faure Heymans, late (Sergeant) was stationed at SA Police, Mount Edgecombe during the 1940’s as a single member. He was married on 1945-05-09 and was transferred to Durban, due to the lack of accommodation for White married members. He was replaced by Constable CF Zietsman, late (Lieutenant General SOO SOE, former Chief Deputy Commissioner, Detective Branch. – [LG])
According to information available the police station has been in existence for over a century. It is more than 100 years old. It had a corrugated, wood and iron construction with whitewashed walls that was once used as horse stables – later occupied by the enquiry staff. It was probably one of the oldest police stations in the Republic. No renovations whatsoever, was done to the building. It stands precisely as it did in the 19th century.
Warrant Officer CJ Breytenbach was the Station Commander at SA Police, Mount Edgecombe.
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Group photograph of members of Mount Edgecombe circa 1980’s.
From left to right, Romilla; RB Khan; Warrant Officer Breytenbach; Ruby; Daisy, late; Meena, late.
Photograph 22
Group photograph of members of the SA Police, Mount Edgecombe. W/Officer Vally seated with the four ladies. Photograph taken circa 1980’s – [RBK]
Seated, Daisy, late; Warrant Officer Vally
Standing, RB Khan, left.
Seated, Ruby; Romilla; standing to the right Meena, late
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE STAR
The South African Police Star for (20 years), Faithful Service and Exemplary Conduct was awarded to him on 1985- 02-25.
Major Johan Hendrik Van Wyk, Colonel replaced Breytenbach as the Station Commander of SA Police, Mount Edgecombe on 1986-02-07
Photograph 23
Major Johan Hendrik Van Wyk, Colonel former Station Commander of SA Police, Mount Edgecombe and Phoenix is seen receiving a medal from Brigadier Mulder Van Eyk whilst Brigadier JJ Beeslaar looks on.
SAP PHOENIX
Arumugam was finally transferred n 1987-10-09 to the new SA Police, Station at Phoenix afterMount Edgecombe was closed.
Certificate of Award 02
The South African Police Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Commemorative Medal was awarded to him on 1988-04-01
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During the official opening of SA Police, Phoenix on 1988-06-30. The guest of honour was, The Honourable, Mr Rajbansi, late, Chairperson, House of Delegates, South African Tricameral Parliament.
From left to right, Lieutenant (Captain – [LG]) Christy Marimuthu, Branch Commander, Detective Branch, Phoenix; Unidentified; The Chaplin; Colonel C Niemand, Brigadier, Deputy District Commandant, Durban North District; The Mayor of Durban; Mr A Rajbansi, seated; LieutenantColonel Soobramoney Govender, Station Commander, Phoenix (Source, Colonel ( Sykes) G Pillay. Information and caption by Major General Charles Matthews)
The Station was Officially Opened by the Honourable Mr A Rajbansi, Chairperson of the House of Delegates, amongst the dignitaries were Colonel C Nieman, deputy District Commandant of Durban North and the Mayor of Durban. A Medal Parade and a Drill Display by Students of the former SA Police, Training College, Wentworth, Durban rendered a scintillating display of drill.
A number of members received the South African Police Commemorative 75 year Medal. A number of members also received other service awards. The Opening Ceremony was attended by a large gathering from the community, friends, relatives of members and a number of distinguished guests. The District Commandant awarded the medals to the respective members.
Photograph 26
The District Commandant, Colonel C Nieman, Brigadier flanked by major S Moodley on his right and Lieutenant-Colonel Soobramoney Govender on his right.
Photograph 27
From left to right, Lieutenant-Colonel MP Govender; Colonel Premchand Bharath; Colonel de Lange; Lieutenant-Colonel S Govender and his dear wife, Neela at the Farewell reception of Lieutenant-Colonel S Govender.
RETIREMENT
Soobramoney Govender retired from active service on 1989-09-30. He was well respected within the SA Police as well as in the community where he assisted many individuals and families. His work ethic and values were an inspiration, and his legacy will always be remembered.
After his official retirement from active service, Lieutenant-Colonel Soobramoney was succeeded by Colonel Rungasamy Munsamy, late (former Commanding Officer of SA Police, Training College, Wentworth and thereafter Chatsworth. – [LG]) as Station Commander.
PROMOTED TO SERGEANT
On 1992-04-04 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was awarded three medals for his Loyal and Faithful Service to the South African Community and the South African Police. His career ended in mandatory retirement 1993-01-31 with 29 years of faithful, loyal and meritorious service.
Certificate 03
Certificate of Service dated 1991-01-31 signed by the Commissioner of the South African Police, General JV Van der Merwe and the Minister of law and Order, The Hon HJ Kriel.
Photograph 30
Apostle (Warrant Officer) Vinod Singh (Source Warrant Officer Singh)
Photograph 31
Warrant Officer Vinod Singh standing alongside the SA Police, Mount Edgecombe patrol vehicle (Source Warrant Officer Singh)
“It is with immense joy that write this little story of my fellow colleague whom I esteem highly. Whilst stationed at South African Police, Mount Edgecombe I was working in the Administration Office as a Station Clerk. During 1980 there were many police officers from various stations that were transferred to Mount Edgecombe. There was an increase of personnel due to the rapid development of the new Phoenix township and the crime rate was on the increase with the corresponding population influx. Amongst the many that arrived in 1980's was Constable Ganesan Arumugam. He was transferred from SAP Chatsworth. I remember him performing various duties at the station. He worked in the charge office, van crew and guard duties. He was also called upon to perform special duties. It was always a pleasure to see his work, whether writing the occurrence book (OB) or writing a statement or completing an accident report. He was very detailed and thorough in writing statements to register dockets. Very pleasant and always willing to work on special duties. Ganesan
was known to me and our fellow colleagues as Aroo. He was much older than all our policemen at that time, yet he had such honour for police officers younger than himself. It was always a pleasure to have a conversation with him. He was very humorous when relating old stories of police officers back in his day. He was always punctual and neatly dressed clean shaven whenever reporting for duties. He advised young policemen to be vigilant and to work hard. He was strong physically and brave to the extent of personally catching snakes. Aroo was a dedicated police officer and never complained even when called upon to attend meetings on his rest days. There was never an incident of misconduct. We moved to the new police station in Phoenix during 1987 and he continued working. I resigned on 30 June 1990, and I was aware that he worked until his retirement. I met with him occasionally after his retirement. He is now 83yrs of age and living with his wife in Ottawa, Verulam, KZN. He has kept busy during his retirement planting vegetables and sold it to the local community. I salute a great colleague who is ever humble and has served our country with dedication and honesty. Long live Aroo. Much love and blessings from former Warrant Officer Vinod Singh.
Constable Ganesen Arumugam was transferred to SA Police, Mount Edgecombe on 1984-03-30. He worked shifts and was a dedicated police officer. He enjoyed a good relationship with his colleagues who were much younger than him. He was humble in nature and always willing to carry out tasks given to him by the officers.
On 1987-10-07 he was transferred to the new Phoenix police station.
On 1992-04-04 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. I worked with Sergt Armugam from 198403-30 until 1992-11-30.
He is 83 years old and is blessed with good health. He attends social gatherings organised by his former colleagues. He is fortunate to have the support of his Whitehouse colleagues.
Well done and God bless.
“Agnoscere et honorare servientibus” – “to acknowledge and honour those who served”
“Soli Deo Gloria” - “To God Alone Glory”
“The Nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten” – Calvin Coolidge
Logan Govender
CO-EDITOR: THE NONGQAI
