Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. CIVIL servants retire every day, often quietly.
But when Assistant Inspector Ndodana Ndlovu retired from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Chikomba district, where he was stationed, noticed.
It was felt.
Some residents have even joked, half seriously, about drafting a petition to bring him back into fulltime service.
At 42, he had spent half his life in the police service, a fact that still surprises those who saw him as far more experienced than his age suggested.
But on October 30, he decided to call it a day.
Ndlovu, of the Ndebele tribe hailing from Zhombe in Kwekwe, had become such a beloved figure in this Shona-speaking district such that locals nicknamed him Sinyoro, from the Shava totem, proudly claiming him as one of their own.
It is the same kind of affection that saw Bulawayo mayor David Coltart earn the nickname Mlungisi for his closeness to the people.
Serving as Chikomba’s district public relations liaison officer, Ndlovu became the friendly face of the police.
He did it by being down to earth, humorous and easy to approach.
His warmth spread far beyond Chikomba district last year after a video of him helping an elderly vendor cross the always busy Harare–Masvingo Highway in Chivhu went viral.
He took her pushcart, as she was struggling to overcome the high volumes of traffic on the highway, a moment that captured who he was without him trying.
Event organisers knew him as the go-to master of ceremonies for both government functions and private celebrations.
Local chiefs praised how deeply he had embraced Shona culture, seemingly without effort.
Over the years, Ndlovu became a driving force behind some of Chikomba’s most important social campaigns.
From churches to school assemblies and open markets, Ndlovu led community awareness programmes on gender-based violence, drug abuse, stock theft and child protection, among others.
Chivhu business community leader Maxwell Makurumure said Ndlovu’s retirement had left a gap far larger than the district expected.
“He was a model of what a police officer should be,” Makurumure said.
“Whenever there was a problem, whether it was a dispute in the market, a case of stock theft, or even just confusion over new regulations, we all knew who to call. Ndlovu was always our go-to person.
“He was jovial, respectful and ready to assist even after hours. You never felt like you were bothering him. His departure has left a void the police force might struggle to fill.”
To many parents, Ndlovu was also the man who restored calm on the most terrifying days.
Lost children, from the market, bus rank or nearby schools, somehow always ended up in his hands.
And when they did, they were met with patience and gentleness until they were reunited with their guardians.
One story that residents still repeat involves a woman who had been wandering the streets late one evening, tired and confused, a baby strapped to her back.
Ndlovu saw her and felt he should help.
She told the “Good Samaritan” that she had travelled from out of town and was desperately trying to locate her relatives.
It was growing dark, she had nowhere to go, and her voice shook with fear.
Ndlovu used his own airtime to call numbers she could barely remember, retraced her steps together with her, and delayed going home until the matter was resolved.
By midnight, he had reunited her with her relatives, tired but safe.
On local WhatsApp groups from neighbourhood watch clusters to social groups, he was a constant, reliable voice.
He shared safety tips, alerted people about emerging crime trends, posted updates about missing persons and even corrected misinformation before panic could spread.
Beyond his work on safety and public relations, Ndlovu believed in keeping the community active, both physically and socially.
He spearheaded a range of sporting activities, which include football tournaments and local athletics, aimed at engaging young people and keeping them away from crime under an initiative called community policing.
Under his guidance, Chikomba even saw the founding of a football club, Chivhu FC, competing in the Eastern Region Division, giving aspiring players a platform to showcase their talent.
“I wanted to be involved with the community,” Ndlovu told NewsDay Weekender.
“I even founded the Queens of Chivhu Chess Club, targeting young girls to fight child marriages and sexual abuse.
“It was important to me that we give them space to learn, to grow, and to feel safe.”
His dedication did not go unnoticed by traditional leaders.
Chief Mutekedza, born Andrew Zhakata, described Ndlovu as a rare officer who had embedded himself fully in local communities.
“He is jovial, always approachable,” Chief Mutekedza said.
“He is one of our own. That’s why the people called him Sinyoro, but we sometimes called him Museyamwa.
“He knows my place of residence. He has been at my place, not in the line of duty, but out of courtesy.
“He didn’t just wear a uniform, he became part of the lives of those he served.”
For More News And Analysis About Zimbabwe Follow Africa-Press
