By Everson Luhanga
It was a night of glitter, glamour and surprises at the ninth South African National Police Excellence Awards at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg on Friday night.
Several hard-working police officers were awarded for the sterling work they do in making sure the streets are free from crime across the country.
Police investigators who cracked high profile cases that made national and international news headlines were recognised.
Addressing the audience, Police Minister General Bheki Cele said: “You are all winners. Serving the country with passion makes you a winner.”
Cele emphasised the need to cater for distressed women and children who come to report crimes at police stations.
“Don’t turn away women who have come to report crime at the police station. Don’t tell them to talk things through with the perpetrators. Women who come to report a crime must be attended to with urgency,” said Cele.
He also lamented the killing of police officers on the line of duty.
“Our officers are dying young while serving in our communities. As the police, we have made a point to help the children of the deceased officers to take them through their education through the police trust.”
Several partners and sponsors were given certificates of appreciation by national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
Two detectives got big surprises when Minister Cele promoted them on the night.
One of them was Sergeant Keshi Mabunda, who won yet another award for his sterling work in investigating Killsurance suspects.
Mabunda, whose work led to the conviction of serial killer Rosemary Ndlovu, is investigating another woman suspected of insurance fraud in the North West.
A police detective constable who raised the alarm and alerted SAPS organised crime that there was a woman (Dr Nandipha Magudumana) that had been repeatedly collecting dead bodies in Bloemfontein has been promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer.
Lt-Col Coetzer received the National Commissioners Special Award. He lost his right leg after being shot by armed cash-in-transit (CIT) robbers during a takedown operation that killed 19 CIT suspects in Makhado, Limpopo.
Lieutenant Colonel Junior Lerato Santi from the Free State Park Road TRT won a brand new Toyota Starlet. Lt-Col Santi was voted by the audience at the awards.
Boipelo Nkadimeng, Strategic Relations at Old Mutual stressed the importance for stakeholders to work with SAPS especially with the SAPS’s Educational Trust (SAPSET) that provides financial support to children of slain police officers.
The event ended with great music from award-winning artist Dr Malinga.
Pictured above: Captain Keshi Mabunda at the ninth edition of the South African Police Service National Excellence Awards held at Gallagher Convention Center in Midrand Johannesburg on Friday night.
Image source: Everson Luhanga
