POTCHEFSTROOM – In a glamorous ceremony to salute and acknowledge South African Police Service (SAPS) employees in Bokone Bophirima, numerous police officers and employees were awarded as winners in more than 20 categories on Friday, 11 November 2022.
The North West annual Service Excellence Award event was held for the 10th time at Seasons Wedding and Conference Venue, Dihatshwane village, Mahikeng. Lt-Col KV Tube was awarded as the overall winner in three categories, namely:
• VISPOL and Operations Employee of the year, salary level 8-12
• Medium Risk Member of the year, salary level 8-12
• Medium Risk Team of the year
Lt-Col Tube commanded a multi-disciplinary team, consisting of K9, Rapid Rail police and Public Order Policing Units between 2021 and 2022 in the Bojanala District. She was also the Unit Commander of Phokeng K9 and planned and executed 322 disruptive operations. She is a positive, hardworking Commander, who leads with example. Under her command the following items were recovered:
* 15 firearms with 353 rounds of ammunition
* 30 vehicles to an estimated value of close to R2 mil
* Stolen property to the estimated value of close to R5 mil
* Drugs to the street value of close to R100 000.00
* Copper cable to an estimated value of R100 000.00
A total of 201 persons were arrested.
Capt Legoale was awarded as the Best Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) Detective on salary level 8-12. He is the Unit Commander at Brits FCS and ensured that members rendered their duties diligently and professionally. For the financial year 2021-2022, convictions were secured in 28 cases of which five were life imprisonment sentences. In the salary level 5-7, Sgt OT Rasego was awarded as the best FCS Detective. She secured amongst others 103 years imprisonment sentence handed down to a serial rapist.
The Best FCS Team was announced as Potchefstroom. A total of 55 convictions were secured during the 2021/2022 financial year.
The Senior Operational Manager of the year was Maj-Gen MJ Mosimanegape, District Commissioner of Bojanala (Brits Sub-District). During the reporting period a total of 2769 operations were conducted and 11 367 arrests were made. A total of 50267 liquor and second hand-goods premises were inspected and 874 awareness campaigns were held.
The Police reservist of the year was Const PK Modisane. He worked more than 1200 hours, without payment and arrested 10 suspects, including suspects for rape and Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Madikwe. He actively participated in community and crime prevention projects.
The Provincial Commissioner also announced that the following three members would each receive a special award:
Maj Gen Pretorius-the District Commissioner of Dr Kenneth Kaunda
Brigadier Masenya b- the District Detective Commander at Dr Kenneth Kaunda
WO Bonita Dry of Ikageng Detectives
(See attached summery of their achievements)
The MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Mr Sello Lehri, who also attended the event, congratulated members on their achievements and acknowledged them for their services. He said: “Given the socio-economic challenges we have, the level of crime we are experiencing, policing has become one of the most demanding professions in the country. It is for this that we should have time to gather like this to express our profound thanks for the work you do.”
Source: South African Police Service