Limpopo: Brigadier Sonnyboy Kgotloana Manthata, a seasoned statistician, has been enlisted as the South African Police Service (SAPS) Limpopo Crime Registrar. With a career spanning over two decades across government and academia, Brigadier Manthata is known for his commitment to statistical excellence, data integrity, and evidence-based decision-making.
According to South African Police Service, Brigadier Manthata’s professional journey began in 2005 as a Project Management Officer with the North West Department of Agriculture. In 2006, he joined Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) as an Assistant Statistical Officer in the Agricultural Statistics division. His skills and dedication saw him rise to the positions of Data Quality Officer and Quality Specialist. By 2012, he was leading the nationally significant Victims of Crime Survey, which was later renamed the Governance, Public Safety, and Justice Survey (GPSJS). He ensured that the nation’s crime statistics met the highest standards of quality and relevance until 2019.
In 2020, Brigadier Manthata transitioned into academia at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University as a Research Assistant, where he mentored postgraduate students. He returned to Stats SA in 2022 as the District Survey Coordinator for the Income and Expenditure Survey. By 2023, he had joined the Department of Higher Education and Training as a Data Analyst, conducting critical statistical analyses for the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector.
In April 2025, Brigadier Manthata was appointed Provincial Head: Crime Registrar at SAPS Limpopo. In this capacity, he applies his expertise to crime analysis, overseeing the identification of crime patterns and trends, standardizing crime statistics, and producing provincial crime reports for public dissemination. His insights support law enforcement, crime prevention, and policy formulation.
An accomplished academic, Brigadier Manthata studied Mathematical Statistics at the University of Pretoria, University of Limpopo, and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, as well as the Regenesys School of Public Management. He has published scholarly work on crime and education, contributing to both academic and policy discussions. As a leader, he oversees a team of more than thirteen employees and is respected for his inclusive and empowering leadership style.
Brigadier Manthata encourages colleagues and the youth with the message: “Hard work pays off, and you should have passion for what you do. No matter how challenging the task is, stay determined to achieve it – and you will go far.” Despite his demanding role, he continues to mentor young professionals, inspiring the next generation of leaders in statistics and data analysis.
Brigadier Manthata concludes with determination, stating, “I am ready to take on any adversity with a singularly determined mind for finding solutions.” His journey stands as a testament to how dedication, commitment, and expertise can create a pathway to a successful career and make a lasting difference in society, as noted by Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.