Several men and women in uniform received awards at the annual Ekurhuleni East Cluster 2018 Prestige Awards, as top members were recognised for hard work and dedication throughout the year.
Const Geneveve Plaaitjies and Capt Dan Sphiwe Silabi from SAPS Nigel were also awarded for their hard work at the SAPS Vispol Awards. Const Plaaitjies received a certificate for participation in the SAPS Blackball pool championships in Bloemfontein, where she received an overall third place and Capt Silabi received a trophy and certificate for best Vispol officer of the year.
The awards ceremony took place on October 19 to reward outstanding performances, exceptional devotion to community relations and extraordinary courage within the South African Police Service.
The Ekurhuleni East Cluster consists of nine police stations: Dunnottar, Tsakane, Duduza, Springs, Nigel, Heidelberg, Ratanda, Devon and KwaThema – all of which had representatives at the function.
High-ranking police officials from Gauteng, as well as members of the cluster’s various community policing forums were also in attendance.
The Ekurhuleni East Cluster Commander, Major General Girly Mbele congratulated members on their achievements and urged them to stay focused in their fight against crime.
The best support member award (administration category) went to Estie Marais from SAPS Duduza.
SAPS Heidelberg communication officer Capt Thivhulawi Tshilate (in his absence while in hospital) received the following awards: Ekurhuleni East Cluster Certificate of Appreciation: communication, Ekurhuleni East Prestige Award Social Crime Prevention: member of the year (runner-up), trophy for Best Employee: member with disability, Ekurhuleni East Prestige Awards certificate: communication member of the year (runner-up) and Ekurhuleni East Prestige Awards certificate: employee with disability.
The best Vispol member of the Year award went to Sgt Mulder de Meyer from SAPS Ratanda and the Best Detective Officer Award went to SAPS Ratanda station commander Capt Sanjay Dookhi (absent).
Sgt Harry Manaka from SAPS Duduza was announced best social crime prevention officer and was also runner up for best communication officer (SAPS Duduza).
