Picture: Warrant Officer Gloria Vatiswa Nontshokweni/Supplied
By AGISANANG SCUFF
27 August 2026 – Today, the South African Police Service (SAPS) introduces Warrant Officer Gloria Vatiswa Nontshokweni (46), the acting unit commander of Makhanda Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in the Eastern Cape. Nontshokweni’s career kicked off in 2008 as a constable at Kensington Police Station’s Community Service Centre (CSC).
Known for taking down quality statements, the Station Commander recommended that she become an investigator and two years later she joined the Cape Town Central Detective Service. Investigating cases involving women and children lies near Warrant Officer Nontshokweni’s heart.
“I give all the cases assigned to me my best. But it gives me great pleasure when my investigations lead me to trace and arrest perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
In 2013, I joined the Motherwell FCS Unit in the Eastern Cape as an investigator. Now at Makhanda FCS Unit, I wear both the hats of acting unit commander and investigator,” she said.
Nontshokweni further said she always makes it her mission to ensure victims receive services of the highest standard. She added that being an FCS investigator gives her an opportunity to serve the country with dignity, honour and pride.
A recent success includes the sentencing of convicted serial rapist Anele Mabheka Lati to six life terms of imprisonment on 27 March 2026, by the Makhanda High Court. Lati was found guilty of multiple counts of rape, sexual assault and attempted rape.
He targeted boys between 2022 and 2023, the youngest of whom was 8 years-old at the time. Nontshokweni identified a similar modus operandi across several case dockets and began connecting the dots.
The Eastern Cape police spokesperson, Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said Lati’s victims were playing with groups of friends when he approached them. Gatana said he would ask a victim to accompany him to get something to eat before luring them to a dumping site, where he sexually assaulted them.
“Nontshokweni takes pride in the outcome of this case and keeps the young victims motivated throughout court proceedings. She also took them to psychologists for counselling. An avid long-distance runner, Nontshokweni prioritises her physical and mental wellbeing, recognising that staying fit and resilient is essential to remaining operationally ready and performing at her best in a demanding profession.
“She is armed with a Bachelor of Policing Practices degree at Stadio and a Diploma in Policing at Tshwane University of Technology. Nontshokweni embodies the values of a woman in policing, who is leading the SAPS Reset Agenda. She serves as a role model of perseverance, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to justice,” she said.
The Guardian 