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Johan “Pottie” Potgieter, the police diver who made headlines after being lowered from a helicopter into a crocodile-infested stretch of the Komati River, has been promoted from the rank of captain to lieutenant-colonel.
Potgieter says the move will not take him away from the communities and dangerous operations that have made him a familiar figure in Mpumalanga.
Potgieter became widely known after taking part in a highly dangerous operation in the Komati River in May, where he was hoisted from a helicopter into crocodile-infested waters to secure a euthanised crocodile with a rope.
The operation allowed police and forensic experts to recover remains believed to be those of a missing person.
Human body parts were subsequently found in the crocodile’s intestines and taken for DNA analysis to establish the identity of the deceased.
I feel very blessed. You must remember I was a captain for 28 years. So from my side, I just want to say for all the people in Mpumalanga, the communities, I know that on Facebook and WhatsApp, I had a lot of people that were giving me best wishes and they were trying to get me promoted.
— Lt-Col Johan Potgieter
Reflecting on his promotion, Lt-Col Potgieter said he felt grateful for the support he had received from communities across Mpumalanga.
“I feel very blessed. You must remember, I was a captain for 28 years. So from my side, I just want to say for all the people in Mpumalanga, the communities, I know that on Facebook and WhatsApp, I had a lot of people that were giving me best wishes and they were trying get me promoted,” he said.
Potgieter said the new position would keep him in the same office and, importantly, in the same line of work.
“The post that I’ve got now is in the same office, so luckily — or unfortunately — I won’t be going anywhere, but I really do appreciate it.”
He also thanked members of the public for the support and affection they had shown him following the high-risk operation.
The post I’ve got now is not an office job. So don’t worry, on the scenes and in the communities, you’re definitely going to see me
— Lt-Col Johan Potgieter
“I appreciate the love that everybody has shown, and everybody has given me a lot of support, and thank you very much. From my side, you know me — I’ll keep on doing the job as well as I can and I’m there for the communities.”
The Komati River operation placed Potgieter and other members involved in the recovery mission in extremely perilous conditions as they worked to secure the crocodile and enable investigators to access the remains.
Despite the attention he received after the operation, Potgieter said his promotion would not mean retreating behind a desk.
“They will not cage me. Remember, the post I’ve got now is not an office job. So don’t worry, on the scenes and in the communities, you’re definitely going to see me.”
Potgieter will continue working alongside the same members and police stations while remaining based in Mpumalanga.
TimesLIVE
Modiegi Mashamaite
www.timeslive.co.za
