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Ntsako Mathebula joined the South African Police Service (SAPS) Academy in 2016.
At the time she was unemployed but although it had never been her driving ambition to be a police officer, with time and as a result of her training she developed a passion for serving in the force.
Her love for the job and hard work eventually saw the mother of three from Tembisa, Gauteng, becoming a detective. But on 8 September 2022 her whole world was turned upside down when she was shot while on night shift. The 35-year-old tells YOU her story.
"Nothing looked suspicious as I drove into the petrol station in Tembisa with my station commander and another officer but as soon as I parked shots were fired at our police van.
Everything happened so fast. The shots were coming from all directions. With no time to retaliate, I hid under my seat for protection.
A few moments later one of the robbers opened the van's door and demanded I give him my firearm. I threw it at him and he ran off.
As soon as they seemed to be out of sight I tried to get up but noticed I couldn’t stand or feel my legs. It was only then that it dawned on me: I had been shot.
I was rushed to Milpark Hospital, was stabilised and underwent surgery to remove the bullet.
I was informed that I had been shot in my left shoulder. The bullet had penetrated my spine, small intestine and caused me abdominal injuries and a collapsed lung.
The biggest damage was to my spinal cord, which left me paralysed from the middle of my back downwards.
That same day I found out that my station commander had died from the wounds he'd sustained. That was such a tough thing to accept and even now I am still coming to terms with it.
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I stayed in hospital for six weeks. I was in such a bad state. I needed assistance doing everything. I would wake up and try to move my legs to see if my mobility had returned. I was in denial for the longest time but I got a reality check the first day I was pushed in a wheelchair to attend my first physio session.
At the beginning the sessions were tough. I was frustrated because I was being taught things I could previously do.
I had to be taught basic things again – brushing my teeth, taking a shower on my own, dressing myself – to accommodate my new disability. My body was stiff and I was in so much pain.
A simple thing such as showering would take me hours.
Eventually, I was given the green light to go home. It was a big adjustment. I couldn’t do things that I loved doing such as cleaning my home, cooking for my family and taking care of my three kids.
I felt very useless and that led me to a dark place. I didn't have energy to do anything. I would just curl up in my bed and not want to face the world.
But one day I came to a realisation that I couldn’t live like this anymore. I needed to change my mindset to heal.
I gave myself a pep talk. I asked myself: why are you ungrateful about being alive? Things could have turned out differently, but God gave you a second chance.
Since that day I have never looked back. I started praying for healing; reading the Bible for encouragement; and leaning on my husband, Valley, my sister, Witness, and my social worker, Captain Mhlabine, for support. I would write them messages on how I felt, good and bad. Them just listening made all the difference, it still does.
Over the past months I have gradually progressed. I am more self-reliant. I have regained my confidence and gotten back to going out with friends, on play dates with my kids and to church and prayer meetings. I am enjoying my life again.
Prior to the shooting I was studying at Unisa and I have continued. I'm currently a third-year accounting science student.
I have not gone back to work yet but I plan to continue working as a detective. Although I will be office-bound I want to go back. I love my job and can't allow being paralysed to stop me.
It has been a rocky road but I am just so grateful to be alive."
