Community-centric policing: The legacy of Captain Ian Bennett and Brigadier Jayce Naidoo

For Captain Ian Stuart Bennett, policing has never been confined to a uniform, a rank, or a crime statistic. It has been a lifelong calling, one rooted in faith, service, and an unshakable belief that communities deserve transparency, dignity and hope.

That calling was recently affirmed when Bennett was honoured at the Western Cape Provincial Prestige Awards, held at a SAPS auspicious event on Saturday, 17 January 2026. The recognition marked a milestone in an extraordinary 40-year career with the South African Police Service (SAPS), a journey he describef as nothing short of "divine purpose".

“I would like to believe that I made a significant impact beyond traditional policing,” Bennett reflected.

“That is something truly special. I realised that I have purpose and that is the power of service.”

Bennett joined SAPS in 1986, during one of South Africa’s most volatile periods. 

“The air was singed with the smell of burning tyres, and in those days, anyone could be labelled a traitor.”

Looking back, Bennett admits only grace carried him through. “I stand here today knowing that policing became a ministry.”

While his career spanned operational policing, the last 20 years were devoted to corporate communication, including 15 years in Manenberg, where his work reshaped how police speaks to and listens to the people it serves.

“My core motivation stems from a deep-rooted belief that the community has a right to know what SAPS members are achieving,” Bennett said. 

“Behind every statistic is a story of dedication, risk and triumph.”

Through detailed, ethical reporting from crime scenes to investigations, prosecutions and convictions Bennett believes he helped foster accountability and trust.

“I didn’t just disseminate information,” he said. “I aimed to actively showcase the tireless efforts of officers on the ground and build public trust through tangible evidence of their work.”

His role transcended administration, becoming a bridge between SAPS, community organisations and faith-based partners. 

“This reciprocal relationship, built on trust and shared goals, is vital for effective crime prevention and community safety,” he explained. “A united front is the most effective defence against crime.”

Throughout his journey, Bennett credits the women who shaped his path from his wife, Juleen, whose trust and prayers sustained him, to mentors such as Superintendent Lavona Januari, Anne Ntebi, and Rose Foster. “With a woman in prayer, nothing is impossible,” he said.

In 2021, Bennett’s life took a dramatic turn when he became an amputee. Yet he continues to serve actively in SAPS. “I look at my 40 years of service and I stand in awe,” he said. “God ordained my career with purpose and that purpose is to be of service.”

Standing alongside Bennett at the awards was Brigadier Jayce Naidoo, the Station Commander of Manenberg SAPS, a leader whose presence has ignited what many now describe as a movement.

On Saturday, 24 January 2026, Brigadier Naidoo was awarded the Western Cape City of Cape Town Community Police Forum Award for Best Law Enforcement Officer in Management, recognising his transformative leadership in one of the country’s most challenged precincts.

A policing veteran with over 40 years of experience, Brigadier Naidoo was re-enlisted in 2017 after stepping away from SAPS -  returning, colleagues say, with renewed purpose. Appointed Station Commander of Manenberg SAPS on 1 December 2024, he brought with him an unmistakable message: service, accountability and humanity are non-negotiable.

A crimefighter by instinct, a gentleman by nature and a spiritual guide by calling, Naidoo leads with a rare balance of strength and humility. Known for his infectious humour and approachability, he is equally comfortable cracking a joke to ease tension or offering a prayer to uplift a weary soul.

As station commander, he acknowledges every officer, every contribution and every act of service big or small while holding leadership firmly accountable.

His approach to crime fighting is unapologetically hard-core, rooted in integrated force-multiplier operations that mobilise every available resource to confront gang leadership head-on.

Yet what truly sets Brigadier Naidoo apart is his heart for the community.

In July 2025, a SAPS career exhibition revealed a devastating truth: not a single child from the Manenberg policing precinct qualified for SAPS recruitment or university entry. Further investigation uncovered an even deeper crisis - no high school in the precinct offered Mathematics or Science.

Brigadier Naidoo refused to stay silent. He raised the alarm, challenging education authorities and institutions. Within three months, a directive was issued mandating the introduction of Mathematics and Science in all high schools within the Manenberg policing precinct a move widely described as a game changer.

He then launched a mentorship programme, bringing back Manenberg’s success stories including doctors, professors, brigadiers and faith leaders to stand before learners and say: “I was once where you are.”

The impact was immediate.  A Child Care Wellness Centre was soon launched at Sonderend Primary School, addressing emotional and psychological wounds carried by many children in silence.

Brigadier Naidoo’s leadership is not confined to boardrooms. He stands shoulder to shoulder with his members at crime scenes, guiding, supporting and protecting them. His five-year vision is bold: to transform Manenberg into a precinct defined by safety, dignity, opportunity and unity.

Together, Captain Ian Stuart Bennett and Brigadier Jayce Naidoo represent two generations of service - one preserving legacy, the other building momentum

As Brigadier Naidoo says: “It is not a dream. It is a plan in motion.”

tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus