Assistant Commissioner MJ Ngobeni always dreamt of becoming a lawyer one day. On 11 April 2005, that dream came true when he was admitted as an advocate of the High Court. Commissioner Ngobeni said he was always motivated and inspired by his colleagues in the police.

“When I was stationed at Tzaneen in Limpopo in the late 1970’s, I was likened to a prominent lawyer by the name of Sydney Kenridge. He was a senior counsel representing freedom fighters at the time, particularly in the inquest case of Steve Biko. And, at Hammanskraal where I worked as a law instructor I was likened to another prominent lawyer known as Makhambeni. I was even nicknamed Makhambeni by my colleagues”, Commissioner Ngobeni said.

When his colleagues started to refer to him as “Advocate”, he decided to take up legal studies and fulfill his childhood dreams. “I am not so sure why I was likened to lawyers and advocates, but I can only surmise that these references could have been inferred from the way in which I used to argue with colleagues on legal issues, particularly on Criminal Law issues. Criminal Law happened to be my favourite subject”, the new advocate said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Being a policeman and studying law wasn’t always easy, but he obtained his Bachelor of Arts (Law) from UNISA in 1994 and his Bacelor of Laws (LLB) in 2004. One of the first subjects he had to study was Latin. In those days Latin as a language was a prerequisite for obtaining a LLB qualification. He managed to pass it, because he grew up under the Roman Catholic Church. He still remembers how he had to read Latin phrases during mass services while he was an altar boy. “I think I developed a basic knowledge of Latin that way. I still can remember some of the phrases, such as “Dominus vobiscum”, which means God be with you.”

Will he now leave Communication and Liaison Services to practice law? Commissioner Ngobeni’s answer was clear: “I remain a police officer at heart, and I stay put as such. This qualification more than anything, helps me to understand my work and policing better. One of the subjects I studied as part of the curriculum was Media Law which, forms an integral part of my responsibility at work.

“I am a bit embarrassed, though that I hardly made contact with my lecturers at the University, because I devoted more time to my official duties. Work had to come first. But, I am glad I made it at last. My work was and always will be my priority”, the Commissioner said.

Commissioner Ngobeni is the Head: Communication and Liaison Services as well as the chairperson of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster’s Communication Forum. He is also president of POLMUSCA.

When he is not busy with police or government communication he likes to read. He also likes to watch boxing and soccer on television with his wife and three children.

To the younger generation he has the following advice: “Be committed to your dreams. It takes dedication, commitment, perseverance and hard work. But, in the end it is worth it.”

By Assistant Commissioner MJ Ngobeni,
Head: Communication and Liaison Services