Constable Jongikhaya Mzimba’s journey from the quiet hills of Tsolo to the busy streets of Cape Town is truly inspiring. As a member of the SAPS Mounted Unit, he works closely with his horse Leo to keep communities safe and build trust, especially with young people. Together, they break barriers, turning the bond between horse and rider into a bridge between police and the public. Mzimba’s story shows how determination and heart can turn humble beginnings into meaningful service and hope for the future.
Who is Constable Jongikhaya Mzimba and what is his role in the SAPS Mounted Unit?
Constable Jongikhaya Mzimba is a dedicated South African police officer from Tsolo who serves in the SAPS Mounted Unit. He combines traditional mounted policing with community engagement, using his bond with his horse Leo to build trust, enhance public safety, and inspire youth across Cape Town.
The Humble Beginnings: Tsolo to Cape Town
In the midst of Cape Town’s energy and complexity, Constable Jongikhaya Mzimba stands out as a figure bridging eras and cultures. His journey, however, starts far from the city’s cosmopolitan buzz, in the tranquil, often-overlooked town of Tsolo in the Eastern Cape. There, life moves at a different rhythm, shaped by undulating hills, meandering rivers, and the ever-present sight of grazing livestock. In Tsolo, cars remain outnumbered by cattle, and opportunities can seem as distant as the city skyline.
Mzimba’s childhood unfolded against this rural backdrop, where family life often meant confronting financial hardship. Ambitious and driven, he completed his matric, hoping to continue his studies at a university. Yet, like many young South Africans, his aspirations collided with the realities of limited resources. Faced with the need to support his loved ones, he set aside dreams of higher education and instead took up work as a security guard. “I started as a security guard to support my family. But protecting and serving my hometown made me want to do more,” Mzimba recalls. The experience instilled a deeper sense of responsibility and fueled his desire for a larger role in public service.
Walking the familiar streets of Tsolo as a security guard, Mzimba discovered a calling that reached beyond his town’s borders. The daily challenges of the job sharpened his resolve and eventually led him to seek a place in the South African Police Service (SAPS). This choice marked the beginning of a new chapter – one that would blend his passion for service with a lifelong love for animals.
Embracing Tradition: A Mount in the Modern World
Mzimba’s entry into SAPS came in 2018, with his first assignment at the bustling Nyanga police station. There, he handled a variety of responsibilities, from responding to emergencies to engaging in visible policing. But beneath the uniform and structured routines, another passion simmered – his enduring fascination with horses.
From his youth, Mzimba felt a special kinship with animals, especially horses. The landscapes of his upbringing had fostered an appreciation for their power, grace, and the important roles they have played throughout history. This deep-seated connection eventually drew him toward the SAPS Mounted Unit, a division that carries forward a tradition reaching back centuries. The Mounted Unit’s presence in contemporary policing echoes the legacy of both the British cavalry and local equestrian cultures like those of the Basotho pony herders.
Transitioning from regular policing to the specialized Mounted Unit demanded more than just a love for horses. Mzimba faced the physical demands of early-morning routines and the mental challenge of forming a working relationship with his new partner – Leo, a spirited horse with a mind of his own. Each day started before sunrise as Mzimba checked Leo for injuries, groomed him, and ensured he was ready for duty. These practices built not only trust and discipline between man and horse but also a bond reminiscent of time-honored cavalry traditions.
“Leo is wild. He wants to go right when you want to go left,” Mzimba laughs, recalling their early days together. Over time, what began as a test of wills evolved into a harmonious partnership. Rider and horse learned to communicate through subtle cues, forging a connection based on trust, patience, and mutual respect. For Mzimba, Leo became more than a colleague – he represented the living intersection of heritage and modern policing.
Building Bridges: Community, Challenges, and Resilience
The SAPS Mounted Unit performs more than ceremonial duties; it plays a vital role in community engagement. Mzimba and Leo regularly appear at school events, festivals, and public awareness campaigns, where their presence naturally draws curiosity and admiration. Children, parents, and elders alike approach, eager to interact with the horse and, in the process, with the police officers themselves. “People love horses… it gives us a chance to connect with the community in a way most officers can’t,” Mzimba shares. The Mounted Unit dissolves barriers that can separate law enforcement from the communities they serve, rendering officers more approachable and human.
Yet, the work comes with risks. Patrols can veer into dangerous territory without warning. Mzimba recounts a harrowing incident in Browns Farm, Philippi, when a fellow officer’s horse accidentally stepped on a live wire illegally strung from railroad tracks to a house. The horse died instantly, an event that left Mzimba shaken. “It was a very traumatic experience. Losing a horse is like losing a teammate,” he reflects. Such incidents bring home the challenges specific to policing in environments marked by poverty and infrastructure neglect, where innovation and desperation sometimes have tragic consequences.
Mzimba’s resilience has also been tested by acts of violence. In June 2023, he responded to an emergency where three colleagues were shot in an ambush. With composure and urgency, he drove the wounded officers to the hospital. “They all had head injuries. I was the driver and managed to get them to the hospital in time. No one died.” Although these moments rarely attract official accolades, for Mzimba, the true reward lies in his ability to make a difference – especially in the lives of young people who look to him as a role model.
The horses, he observes, serve as unique facilitators in breaking down distrust between police and youth. Their approachability opens the way for meaningful conversations that can foster mutual understanding and respect. For Mzimba, these connections are reciprocal: as he inspires the community, their hopes and ambitions in turn motivate him.
Pride, Ceremony, and Vision for the Future
Professionalism and pride shape every aspect of Mzimba’s service. He approaches his duties with a sense of ritual, ensuring his SAPS uniform is always meticulous. “I iron it with pride and wear it with gratitude. It’s not just about looking good, it’s about being ready to serve,” he explains. In an era where the legitimacy of authority can sometimes be questioned, such attention to detail signals his unwavering commitment to integrity and public responsibility.
Mzimba’s dedication extends beyond daily patrols. Each February, when Cape Town hosts the State of the Nation Address, he and his Mounted Unit colleagues play a highly visible role, escorting President Cyril Ramaphosa in a tradition that blends pageantry with public service. The ceremonial procession, rich with historical echoes, unites South Africans in a shared moment of national pride and highlights the enduring relevance of mounted policing in the country’s evolving democracy.
Looking ahead, Mzimba dreams of advancing within the Mounted Unit and leading it one day. “I have big dreams for the unit. I want people around the world to know the kind of work we do and the amazing things horses can help us achieve in policing.” His vision encompasses not only personal growth but also the elevation of the unit’s reputation, both nationally and internationally.
Mzimba’s story resonates as a message to South Africa’s youth. He urges young people to define their goals clearly and pursue them relentlessly, regardless of where they begin. “It’s your mind-set and your determination that will get you there,” he advises, drawing from his own journey from Tsolo’s hills to Cape Town’s bustling streets.
A Living Legacy: Hope and Service in Modern Policing
As dawn breaks over Cape Town, Constable Jongikhaya Mzimba and Leo stride through the city’s diverse neighborhoods, embodying the spirit of hope, resilience, and service. Their partnership exemplifies the best of tradition and innovation, compassion and courage, discipline and empathy. Through their daily work, they demonstrate how trust – between officer and horse, police and community – can create lasting change.
Mzimba’s life and career offer a testament to what perseverance, integrity, and vision can achieve. His journey underscores the importance of accessible role models and the transformative power of service – reminding us that policing, at its core, is about more than law enforcement: it is about connection, trust, and the ceaseless pursuit of a better future for all.
FAQ: Constable Jongikhaya Mzimba and the SAPS Mounted Unit
Who is Constable Jongikhaya Mzimba and what does he do in the SAPS Mounted Unit?
Constable Jongikhaya Mzimba is a South African police officer originally from the rural town of Tsolo in the Eastern Cape. He serves in the South African Police Service (SAPS) Mounted Unit in Cape Town, where he works closely with his horse, Leo. His role involves both traditional mounted policing and community engagement, using the unique bond with his horse to enhance public safety, build trust, especially with young people, and foster positive relationships between police and communities.
How did Constable Mzimba’s background influence his career in policing?
Growing up in a rural and economically challenged area, Mzimba’s early life was shaped by limited resources and a strong connection to animals and nature. After finishing school, he worked as a security guard to support his family, which inspired him to pursue a larger role in public service. His rural roots and love for horses naturally led him to the SAPS Mounted Unit, allowing him to blend his passion for animals with his commitment to community safety.
What is unique about the SAPS Mounted Unit and its role in modern policing?
The SAPS Mounted Unit combines historical mounted policing traditions with modern law enforcement. Beyond patrols and crowd control, the unit plays a vital role in community engagement and public relations. Officers like Mzimba and their horses serve as approachable figures that help break down barriers between police and citizens, especially young people, promoting trust and understanding through events like school visits, festivals, and public awareness campaigns.
What are some challenges faced by Constable Mzimba and the Mounted Unit?
Mounted policing carries unique challenges including physical demands, early mornings, and the responsibility of caring for horses like Leo. The environment in which they operate can be dangerous; for example, Mzimba experienced the traumatic loss of a fellow officer’s horse due to an illegal live wire. Additionally, officers sometimes face violent situations, such as the 2023 ambush where Mzimba helped transport wounded colleagues to safety. These challenges require resilience, quick thinking, and dedication.
How does Constable Mzimba build trust between police and communities?
Mzimba leverages the natural appeal of horses to create approachable and positive interactions with community members. Through participation in public events and school programs, he and Leo serve as friendly ambassadors who help demystify police work and foster dialogue. This unique relationship encourages youth and others to see police officers as human and trustworthy, helping to break down longstanding barriers and improve community relations.
What are Constable Mzimba’s aspirations for the future and his message to youth?
Mzimba aims to advance within the SAPS Mounted Unit and ultimately lead it, hoping to raise awareness globally about the important work the unit does. He envisions expanding the unit’s role and reputation both nationally and internationally. To young people, he emphasizes the power of mindset and determination, encouraging them to pursue their goals relentlessly, no matter their background, highlighting that success comes from perseverance and a clear vision.
If you’d like to learn more about the SAPS Mounted Unit or Constable Mzimba’s work, feel free to ask!
