By Umamah Bakharia

After a 41 year run, JMPD Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar has put down his badge and retired from the force.

He started out as a traffic cop and ended his career as a decorated spokesperson for the metro department.

Minnaar,63, speaks to Radio Islam on his retirement from the JMPD and future plans.

“I’m really going to miss the city of Johannesburg and everyone that has served in the city of Johannesburg,” says Minnaar.

Talking about a highlight in his career, Minaar says it would be when he was part of a team in 1990 who went to South West Africa at a time when independence was granted. He reminisces on the opportunity he was granted to escort the Kenyan delegation to Oshikate, Namibia. For this trip, he was awarded ‘Driver of The Year.’

However, Minnaar says there were testing times as well where he has to deal with syndicated related crimes.

He began his journey in the police department in 1981 after graduating from the police academy and then served as a traffic cop before being promoted to JMPD spokesperson.

Amongst those present at Minnaar’s farewell, was Johannesburg mayor, Mpho Phalatse, who awarded Minnaar with a long service award and appreciation certificate for his commitment to the department.

Discussing his future plans, Minnaar says: “I intend doing some education and information sharing at the City of Johannesburg.”