Brümilda Swartbooi
Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) Officer Sibongile Nkabinde has bravely unveiled her 18-year battle with gambling addiction and her subsequent journey to recovery in her new book, Dice of Despair.
The raw and unfiltered account, launched on Saturday, 31 May 2025, at the Roodepoort Theatre, is now officially available for purchase.
Nkabinde describes the period between the early 2000s and 2017 as her darkest days. “I lost my fiance, my kids and was trapped in debt. I lost everything,” Officer Nkabinde candidly recalls.
“I was owing everyone, and it wasn’t nice living like that. I didn’t know where to go with my struggles because it’s a hidden addiction.”
Recognising the severity of her problem, Nkabinde proactively sought self-exclusion from casinos. Despite initial relapses, a pivotal turning point arrived on 27 November 2017, her last day gambling. It was then she resolved to win the fight, conquer her addiction, and share her story to aid others.
“I took the courage during my healing process. I told myself, I need to help other people. I’ve noticed that there are other officers fighting the same battles. No one notices their pain and struggles. So, the purpose of me writing a book is because now I’m free, so I thought I should help others,” Nkabinde explains.
A Soweto native who joined the JMPD in 2004, Nkabinde’s path to recovery demanded immense strength. It involved meticulously amending relationships and settling her debts. The recent loss of her mother earlier this year was a profound blow, yet Nkabinde hopes her mother remains proud of her resilience. Her healing process was significantly aided by journaling, which she began in 2019, finding refuge and a space to process her experiences through writing.
Through Dice of Despair, Nkabinde aims to raise critical awareness about gambling addiction and unequivocally demonstrate that recovery is attainable. “Dice of Despair shares my rock-bottom moments and ultimately my triumph over adversity,” Nkabinde states.
“I believe this book will help many people who have gone through similar struggles. My story is a testament to the fact that recovery is possible, and I hope it will inspire others to seek help and find their own path to healing.”
Today, Officer Nkabinde is dedicated to supporting others, actively accompanying individuals to rehabilitation centres, guiding them through the crucial first steps toward their own recovery journeys.
SOURCED FROM COJ WEBSITE.
