Police officer Vimla Mudle loves being a tough cop, loves cricket but hates the fact that people of Indian origin like her are involved in crime big time. Born and bred in Durban, Mudle understands Hindi but struggles when asked about her roots.
“Generations have passed since my ancestors came to South Africa… I’ll have to really rack my brains to come up with the name of the first ancestor who came here,” the police superintendent said.
In her early 30s, Mudle is the first woman commander in the high-profile Dog Squad. She started her career in Durban, a city with a sizeable number of people of Indian origin who are part of big crime syndicates. “People of Indian origin are mostly involved in the drug trade. It shames us,” she said.
It’s tough being a law enforcer in Durban, Mudle said. “They move around with AK-47s and don’t even blink before shooting people. Police personnel are the most vulnerable.” Mudle is currently handling the security of cricketers there. For someone who’s named one of her sons Sachin, that’s like mixing business with pleasure.
“He (Sachin) was born in 2003 when the cricket World Cup was being hosted by South Africa and Tendulkar was going great guns. It was then that we decided to name him Sachin.” Vimla brings her sons to the ground when Mumbai Indians play or practice, for autographs and to get them clicked with players. On her profession, which can be demanding, she said: “Working in the Dog Squad is very challenging. I never liked a desk job so I opted for one which is more demanding.”
{{/usCountry}}“He (Sachin) was born in 2003 when the cricket World Cup was being hosted by South Africa and Tendulkar was going great guns. It was then that we decided to name him Sachin.” Vimla brings her sons to the ground when Mumbai Indians play or practice, for autographs and to get them clicked with players. On her profession, which can be demanding, she said: “Working in the Dog Squad is very challenging. I never liked a desk job so I opted for one which is more demanding.”
{{/usCountry}}It’s a trait that runs in the family apparently for even Mudle’s aunts and their relatives are with the police.