Sergeant Palesa Tsoaelo, a 44-year-old investigator and member of the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation (SECI) team in Mpumalanga, started her policing journey in 2007 as a constable stationed at the Greylingstad police station. While attending to complaints and taking statements at the Community Service Centre, she developed a keen interest in investigating cases and solving crime.
Her passion for detective work led to her placement as a detective at the Leslie police station and, in 2015, she joined the Secunda Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, where she specialised in investigating sexual offences before she joined the SECI Team, where she investigates serial rape cases and sexual offences committed through electronic platforms.
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Among the cases she successfully investigated is that of 30-year-old Xolani Emmanuel Nkosi, who was earlier this year sentenced by the Bethal regional court to two life terms plus 10 years’ imprisonment for rape, kidnapping and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Nkosi was convicted of raping an 18-year-old woman in 2023.
Through meticulous investigative work and the use of innovative investigative techniques, Tsoaelo established that Nkosi was also wanted in connection with a rape case in Elukwatini. The matter is expected to be heard in court in September.
Beyond her investigative responsibilities, Tsoaelo actively participates in community awareness initiatives and mentors younger investigators, sharing the knowledge and experience she has accumulated throughout her career.
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“Every victim deserves to be heard, every investigation deserves to be pursued with dedication, and every perpetrator must be held accountable. My greatest motivation is knowing that the work I do can help a victim find justice and prevent another person from becoming a victim,” says Tsoaelo.
Her dedication has also been recognised through several accolades. In 2025, she received the Best FCS Investigator Award at the SAPS National Excellence Awards. She is also a recipient of the Women Navigating the Future Award.
Tsoaelo is studying towards a Bachelor of Policing Practice degree.
“As South Africa commemorates Women’s Month, the South African Police Service celebrates its women in blue through its national campaign ‘Women Leading the Reset Agenda’,” says Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo.
“The campaign honours the courage, resilience, dedication and professionalism of female police officers who protect women, children and other vulnerable members of society. Through this campaign, SAPS is profiling women in blue whose commitment, compassion and determination are strengthening communities, advancing quality policing and restoring public confidence.”
Help for survivors of gender-based violence
GRIP (Greater Rape Intervention Project) is a Mpumalanga-based organisation dedicated to fighting gender-based-violence and advocating for the rights of survivors of gender-based violence. The organisation can be contacted on +27 83 310 1321.
If you are able to help in any way, please contact Tarryn at ceo@grip.org.za for more information.
To donate, GRIP’s banking details are:
- Bank: Standard Bank
- Name of account: The Greater Nelspruit Rape Intervention Project
- Current account number: 03-259-255-8
You may also click here to donate to GRIP.
