When you’re talking about private investigations, it all boils down to experience.
At Alwinco, André Mundell brings a hefty 21 years of service at the South African Police Service (SAPS), plus another almost 2 decades in independent security risk assessments, to every project he takes on. That kind of background means he’s seen it all, and he knows how to deliver answers you can bank on whether you’re an individual with a personal matter or a business sorting out something bigger. I’m going to walk you through what private investigations are all about, keeping it simple so you don’t need any special know-how to follow along.
What is a private investigation?
Think of it as a deep dive into the truth. At Alwinco, André might be investigating security risks, chasing down leads on theft or fraud, or even trying to find someone who’s gone missing. His days are spent sifting through information, connecting dots, and handing clients answers they can trust—evidence that’s been double- or triple-checked and holds up. Now, if you’re picturing those high-speed chases or dramatic showdowns from TV, let me set the record straight. Real investigations aren’t like that. They take time, are careful, and are bound by rules. When someone approaches us for an investigation, they provide an instruction document outlining what they need us to investigate.
It’s not just paperwork; it’s the roadmap for the entire process, and we keep it for at least five years.
Playing by the Rules
We don’t mess around at Alwinco. Staying legal and keeping things honest is non-negotiable. André takes on all sorts of cases—fraud, theft, even “cold cases” that haven’t been solved yet. Occasionally he’ll dust off one of those forgotten files to see if a new angle turns up something fresh. Here’s the thing: this work isn’t fast or glamorous. It can take months of investigation, gathering pieces of evidence, and making sense of them. And we don’t beat around the bush with clients. If the truth stings a little (or a lot), we still lay it out plain and simple.
How We Get It Done
No two cases are the same, so André switches up his approach depending on what’s in front of him. He’s got this method called “profile investigation” that keeps things sharp and on point. We’re big on being upfront; everything we find gets written down, no sugar coating, so clients know exactly where things stand. Getting those findings to hold water in court? That’s the tough part. André’s got a trick up his sleeve: a special way of locking down the evidence so it’s rock-solid. It’s our little trade secret, and it means no one can poke holes in what we bring to the table.
The Experience Factor
André and his team, having spent over 40 years in the field, are well-versed in navigating the complexities of this job. Andre meticulously attends to the details, from identifying clues to presenting cases in court. Legal cases can drag on forever, but we make sure clients are clued in the whole way so no one’s left scratching their head wondering what’s next.
Forget the Hollywood Hype
TV makes investigations look like a sprint with big, splashy wins. The truth is, it’s more like a marathon—steady, thoughtful, and all about sticking to what’s right. Whether André’s solving an old puzzle or clearing a name, it’s the slow process and passion for fairness that drive him. Private investigations ultimately aim to uncover the truth, regardless of the challenges encountered. At Alwinco, we’re proud to hand our clients results they can count on every time, no exceptions.
We do security risk assessments for customers in Arcadia, Bloemfontein, Bluff, Pretoria, Observatory, and Gauteng, like Braamfontein, Jhb CBD, Kempton Park, etc. These assessments apply to homes, businesses, industrial estates, farms, and other types of property.