Staff Reporter
At 35, Sergeant Siphosethu Tyuwa is part of a new generation of police officers using technology to strengthen policing in some of the Eastern Cape’s harshest terrain.
A drone operator and Airborne Law Enforcement Officer based at the Bulembu Air Wing in the Eastern Cape, Tyuwa supports ground units with real-time aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering and search-and-rescue operations across vast and often inaccessible areas.
Her work places her at the centre of modern policing, where drones are increasingly used to monitor large public gatherings, assist with farm patrols and help track suspects in dense terrain.
“Operating drones is more than just flying, it’s about saving lives, preventing crime, and delivering justice from the skies,” she said.
In celebration of Youth Month, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said on Tuesday that young officers like Tyuwa are making a meaningful impact in communities.
The officers “embody the future of policing” and are playing a critical role in advancing the SAPS Reset Agenda through professionalism, integrity and commitment to public safety.
Tyuwa, who was born in Peddie, is also a vocal advocate for gender transformation in law enforcement.
A former learner at Nomzamo High School, Tyuwa obtained a Financial Management diploma from Port Elizabeth College before joining SAPS in March 2015. She has since continued to build her academic profile, recently earning a Bachelor of Applied Social Sciences degree in psychology and counselling.
Since joining SAPS, Tyuwa has moved into one of the service’s specialised fields, combining airborne law enforcement with drone operations. Her role gives police teams aerial support during operations where visibility, speed and access can determine the success of an intervention.
SAPS said her work demonstrated the growing role of women in specialised policing units and the importance of giving young officers opportunities to lead in new areas of law enforcement.
“Sergeant Siphosethu Tyuwa is proof that when you give a woman wings, she does not just fly, she helps the whole community rise. From the skies above the Eastern Cape, she serves with sharp eyes, a steady hand, and a heart committed to change,” provincial police spokesperson Colonel Anne Magakoe said.
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