Colonel Joe Coetzer, a name synonymous with bravery and resilience within South Africa’s law enforcement circles, has cemented his place in the annals of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
His career, a tapestry woven with threads of extraordinary courage and devastating injury, reads like a high-octane action film. Last week, his unwavering dedication was recognised with a well-deserved promotion to Colonel, announced by Hawks boss Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya during the prestigious Hawks awards ceremony. This accolade, however, is a testament not only to his exceptional service but also to his remarkable ability to overcome life-altering adversity.
Coetzer’s journey began within the elite Special Task Force, one of the world's most respected paramilitary police units, before transitioning to the Hawks. His distinguished career has been punctuated by moments of intense danger, leaving him with a missing right thumb and an amputated leg – powerful reminders of his unwavering commitment to fighting crime. These injuries are not merely battle scars; they are symbols of his relentless pursuit of justice.
“It was a huge honour to be recognised and then for the general to announce my promotion at the same time. It was a very nice touch, very heartwarming, and I very much appreciate it,” Coetzer shared with News24.
The most recent chapter in his extraordinary life unfolded last September in Louis Trichardt during a high-stakes intelligence operation targeting a group of suspected cash-in-transit robbers. The mission was clear: intercept the gang before they could execute a robbery.
“We had a planned operation to follow up on information of a group who planned either to commit a cash and transfer robbery or to rob a depot,” Coetzer explained.
“By the time we identified the area and the premises they used for a hideout, we decided to do a takedown operation. At that stage, two of the suspects were moving around behind a sliding gate at the front entrance, and the next moment, they opened fire on us.”
The ensuing gun battle was a brutal, hours-long confrontation. Coetzer and his team took up a position across the street and returned fire. During the intense exchange, a ricochet struck his hand.
“I had to withdraw for a few minutes to get some medical treatment. The injury at that stage was not life-threatening, so I decided not to abandon the operation but to see where I could still contribute. We had total control of the premises,” he recounted.
However, tragedy struck when a subsequent barrage of gunfire inflicted a severe leg injury. This occurred as the team breached the suspects' luxury hideout.
“A lot of gunfire was exchanged as the suspects were hiding in different rooms. One of the suspects was also hiding underneath a vehicle in the garage, and as this suspect opened fire on the penetration team, some of the rounds that he fired went through the garage door. [That was] about six or seven rounds and on a very acute angle and by pure bad luck, two of these rounds struck me in my leg.”
The injuries sustained during this fierce encounter ultimately led to the amputation of his right leg. “The next day, I woke up after the initial amputation operation to discover that, unfortunately, they could not save the leg,” he said.
Coetzer openly discussed the emotional and psychological toll of his injuries, describing the stages of disbelief, anger, and eventual acceptance.
“It's absolutely just human to sit around and think negatively about it but the injury itself could have been much worse. It could have been fatal. It takes a process to accept it and adapt, after that, because your life will never be the same, but at least the value of life can still be high enough to appreciate it. There's always a lot to be appreciated, and one must also see that somebody else is suffering more than you,” he reflected.
This harrowing incident is not Coetzer’s first brush with life-threatening injury. In 1996, while serving in the Special Task Force, he lost a thumb due to a malfunctioning stun grenade during a hostage situation at Cape Town harbour.
“Again, it was pure bad luck to call it as such. I had a faulty stun grenade, so by the time I decided to use it and removed the safety pin, it immediately went off while I was still holding it. This led to my first amputation in which I lost my right-hand thumb. So, I'm sorting a couple of spanners by now,” he quipped.
Remarkably, shortly after this incident, Coetzer participated in a Special Task Force parachute jump in Bloubergstrand, a testament to his resilience and determination. “By the time that I successfully landed on the ground, I decided, you know what, it's not that bad. You will survive, you will adapt; you must just overcome it and be positive.”
Despite his injuries, Coetzer remains dedicated to serving his country. While currently recovering, he is preparing for future roles in training and operational planning. “Hopefully, at the beginning of next year, I will be able to return to the office. There's still a lot to look forward to and do,” he stated.
As the festive season approaches, Coetzer plans to spend precious time with his family and improve his golf game.
“My daughter has returned from overseas, and my son has taken up a new job, so I will have all my family members present this festive season. The rest of the time, I just intend to improve on my golf,” he concluded.
Colonel Coetzer’s story is one of extraordinary courage, unwavering dedication, and remarkable resilience – a true testament to the spirit of a South African hero.
