POLOKWANE - The South African Police Service (SAPS) held its annual national excellence awards to honour employees, reservists and Community Police Forum (CPF) structures that have excelled in their duties in the 2021/2022 financial year.
The SAPS National Excellence Awards recognises outstanding performance and selflessness in the line of duty.
This years’ awards ceremony boasted 42 categories with the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele and the National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola each presenting additional awards in the special awards category.
These were some of the members that walked away as winners in their categories.
Visible Policing and Operations Employee of the Year from (level 5 - 7) was awarded to Constable TM Mothamane from the Free State province. The member is responsible for implementing school safety programs at 39 schools. Her daily duties include conducting crime awareness campaigns and conducting school searches to create a conducive learning environment. The member was also voted this year’s Laureate Award Winner and walked away with a brand new vehicle.
Detective and Forensic Services Employee of the Year (level 5 - 7) was awarded to Sergeant KB Mabunda and Sergeant TJ Chokoe. Sergeant KB Mabunda is a detective stationed at the Olifantsfontein Police Station in Gauteng. He is the member behind the arrest of convicted serial killer, Rosemary Ndlovu. Mabunda worked tirelessly to link Ndlovu, a former policewoman to the deaths of her lover and family members between 2012 and 2018.
Sergeant TJ Chokoe also obtained number one spot in the same category. The member who is stationed at the Westenburg Police Station in Limpopo is known to go the extra mile, bringing in creativity and innovation when conducting investigations. Chokoe’s relentless efforts led to the arrest of a serial rapist who was terrorising women in Polokwane, Maleboho and Musina.
Directorate For Priority Crime Investigation Employee of the Year (level 5 - 7) was awarded to Warrant Officer EW Brittion. The member managed to crack a syndicate that was trafficking drugs from South America to South Africa using maritime transport. In June 2021, the member led a multidisciplinary team that intercepted a bakkie towing a boat on the N1 highway in Pretoria. It was discovered that 400kg of cocaine with a street value of R400 million was found stashed in the boat. Seventeen people have so far been arrested. The matter is currently before court.
Crime Intelligence Team of the Year was awarded to the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Team. The Anti-Kidnapping Task Team was established to prevent, combat and investigate incidents of kidnappings especially where ransom demands are being made. In a space of two years, the team investigated 134 cases of kidnappings where ransom demands were made. To date, more than 124 suspects have been arrested with 81 still in police custody.
Medium Risk Team of the Year was awarded to the KwaZulu-Natal Search and Rescue Team led by Warrant Officer F Pretorius. During the KZN floods, the team was deployed to perform search and rescue operations. The members selflessly sacrificed many hours to rescue and recover drowned victims.
Administration Team of the Year was awarded to the Employee, Health and Wellness (EHW) unit. The EHW unit played a leading role in designing and monitoring the organisations Covid-19 protocols. The measures put in place by EHW ensured the SAPS is able to continue to provide service to the community. The team also established a 24/7 hotline to provide psychosocial support to members and their families during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Family Violence, Child Protection, Sexual Offences Investigations (FCS) unit team of the year was awarded to the King Williams Town FCS unit in the Eastern Cape led by Lieutenant Colonel NW Mbalo. In the 2021/2022 financial year, the team arrested a total of 314 suspects for FCS related crimes including sexual related crimes. They also secured nine life sentences and an additional 322 imprisonment sentences.
Reservist of the Year was awarded to Reservist Constable Venter who is attached to the Western Cape Flying Squad. During the 2021/2022 financial year, the member effected 76 arrests, seized 17 vehicles and 11 firearms.
Community Police Forum (CPF) of the year award was awarded to the Bethelsdorp CPF in the Eastern Cape. The CPF conducts regular meetings and they are actively involved in the prevention of crime by recruiting community in blue patrollers. Through the School Safety Programme, the CPF ensures regular communication between principals, community members and the police to enhance SAPS response to issues. The good working relationship between the CPF and Victim Support Centre led to the community having more faith in the police which in turn enhanced community participation in combating crime.
Best station of the year was awarded to the Chatsworth Police Station in KwaZulu-Natal. The crime detection rate hovers between 84% and 100%, with the conviction rate for crimes committed against women and children at 100%.
The management of the South African Police Service continue to encourage all employees to continue to excel in the execution of their duties.
Source: South African Police Service