The police station at Port Nolloth was announced as the best police station in the Northern Cape for 2023, while the award for the best Community Policing Forum (CPF) went to the one at Tsineng.
These awards were amongst many handed out at the annual provinicial excellence awards on Thursday, 30 November, in Kimberley, hosted by the provincial commissioner, Lt. Gen. Koliswa Otola.
A moment of silence was observed in commemoration of three members who died in the line of duty during the year: WO G. Diphephenyane, Sgt K.M. Masilo, and Const. O.G. Mandindi.
Winners in the categories are as follows:
Administration:
cleaner of the year: B.A. Petrus, Dingleton;
level 5-7: WO M.E. Baard, Employee Health and Wellness Springbok;
level 8-12: Capt. E.K. Monyake; and
team: Provincial Corporate Communication.
Visible policing (Vispol) and operations:
level 5-7: Sgt H.A.R. Burden, Upington K9;
level 8-12: Lt. Col G.J. Nel, Vispol coordinator ZFM District; and
team: Upington Highway Patrol.
Detectives:
level 5-7: WO J.A.M. Tyres;
level 8-12: Capt. A.J.F. Swanepoel, Port Nolloth; and
team: Northern Cape Organized Crime Investigation team.
Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS):
level 5-7: Sgt K.P. Schoeman, Kuruman FCS;
level 8-12: Lt. Col Harriet Mckenzie, Kimberly SAPS; and
team: Calvinia FCS.
Other:
- senior manager: operational (level 13-15): Brig. H.A. Janse van Rensburg, Provincial Operational Command Centre (POCC) and Police Emergency Services (PES); and
- senior manager: administration (level 13-15): Brig. G.N. Tait, Human Resource Utilization (HRU) and Human Resource Development (HRD).
- Woman of the year: Sgt W.A. Williams, Kathu Vision;
- Man of the year: Const. G.V. Mpona, Tsineng;
- Sportsman of the year: Sgt T.C. Dioka, Upington Public Order Policing (POP), marathon-running;
- sportswoman of the year: WO N. Wiid, Hopetown, combat rifle;
- sports person with disability: WO S.D. Motseme, pool;
- reservist of the year: R/Const. S.I. Matthys: Rosedale
- person with disability employee of the year: Lt. Col B. Sebolai, HRU
Criminal record and crime scene management (CR CSM):
level 5-7: Sgt M.J. Matlhare, De Aar;
level 8-12: Capt. L. Matyobeni, De Aar; and
team: Decentralised Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC).
crime intelligence employee (level 5-7): Sgt A. Dlephu;
crime intelligence team of the year: Namakwa District;
Protection and Security Services (PSS):
level 5-7: WO N.M. Diedriks;
level 8-12: Lt. Col E.J. Smit; and
team: Specialised and Technical Support.
Provincial commissioner’s awards:
Kimberley Flying Squad; Provincial Public Unrest detectives; Lt. Col A. Moses: Provincial Sports Office; and Provincial Search and Rescue Team.
At the event, Otola outlined her heartfelt gratitude to all members and reiterated the pride she has for the hardworking, loyal and committed SAPS member who received accolades for going the extra mile to keep communities safe and secure.
Messages of support were shared by the labour unions, SAPU and POPCRU, who both commended the men and women in blue for the invaluable work and wished them well with the upcoming festive season duties.
