​​Mogomotsi Mashigo is an efficient career policeman with no-nonsense qualities for an upright law enforcement agent.

The Acting Director of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Academy commands respect from his subordinates, peers and colleagues, even the trainee officers revere him.

Mashigo started his career as a Traffic Officer in the then Johannesburg Traffic Department in 1993. He was promoted to a Senior Traffic Officer in 1996, before moving to the Academy in 1999 as a Superintendent, where he served as an Instructor.

He became an Assistant Director at the JMPD when it was established in 2001.

Mashigo was instrumental in getting the academy authorised to offer an accredited traffic qualification and for realigning the curriculum to what it is today. He was also involved in getting the JMPD cadets to change their attire from overalls to the smart, presentable black and white shirt and pants they wear to this day when reporting for training.

“It gives me great pleasure to be a manager who is innovative," he says.

The married father of four has been entrusted with presiding over the JMPD's Disciplinary Committee. “I am almost like Robocop; it's either right or wrong, there's no middle ground and I lead by example," he says.

Mashigo 'takes no prisoners'. “It's my job to clean up the JMPD of corrupt elements."

An avid cyclist, budding runner and motorbike enthusiast, Mashigo holds a National Diploma in Traffic Policing, a Manager's Development Certificate with Damelin College and a Management Advancement Programme and Labour Relations and Leadership Certificate from Wits Business School.

He also studied Accident Reconstruction and did an Outcome-Based Asset Management course. He once served in the Equestrian/Mounted and Motorcycle Units.

He says he has no regrets for being a no-nonsense cop. “If you are not strict, you will bend over backwards and lose your principles," he says.

He was roped in early last year to expedite the JMPD cadet training programme, which was delayed.

“I'm proud to be an agent of change, it doesn't matter at what level. Leading this institution gives me the opportunity to share my skills and experience with future JMPD officers," he explains.

Mashigo is now in charge of the unprecedented programme that will see about 1 500 newly trained JMPD officers hit the streets of Joburg in October 2019 to fight crime and grime.

He considers himself a trouble-shooter and says his legacy is to see how he's changed people's lives. “With the passion I have, I get fulfilment in helping people thrive. People help others with an expectation to get something in return, I help to get fulfilment," he says.

A somewhat jack of all trades, Mashigo is credited with initiating the City's cycling team, which participates in the annual Telkom 947 Cycle Challenge. He has also trained both MMC Ntombi Khumalo and MMC Mpho Phalatse to ride bicycles and compete in the annual showpiece.

He worked briefly at the Department of Social Development, where he helped set up the City's 271-hectare Eikenhof Farm in the south of the metro in 2014, to fight hunger and boost food security under the Food Resilience Programme.