Machadodorp Police Station the best in the province
Speaking after the awards, Machadodorp station commander Lt Sikhumbuzo Thela, said he attributed their success to teamwork and dedication by the station’s personnel and support that he received from the community. He said the station would not have made it without the involvement of the public in their various crime-prevention projects in Machadodorp
NELSPRUIT – Machadodorp Police Station were named the best police station in the province during the annual MEC’s Excellence Awards Ceremony.
The function was hosted by community safety, security and liaison MEC Mr Vusi Shongwe on Thursday.
The awards, which had the province’s 86 police stations taking part, were a recognition of excellence displayed by stations for the financial year 2012/13.
The MEC’s Excellence Awards are presented every year by the department to the best-performing stations in the province after conducting a thorough evaluation exercise involving departmental officials and members of the community policing forums (CPFs).
Machadodorp’s station also came out tops in categories such as Best Station Managed by Captain to Lieutenant Colonel and was announced as having the best-functioning CPF. Mhala Police Station in the Bushbuckridge area received accolades as the Best Station Managed by a Colonel and Higher. The station became runners-up in the category Best Overall Station in the Province.
Speaking after the awards, Machadodorp station commander Lt Sikhumbuzo Thela, said he attributed their success to teamwork and dedication by the station’s personnel and support that he received from the community. He said the station would not have made it without the involvement of the public in their various crime-prevention projects in Machadodorp.
“We are grateful for the community’s support in all our initiatives to combat crime and many thanks to our CPF members for always going the extra mile to be there for the station,” said Thela.
Speaking at the same event, Shongwe said it was important for other SAPS members to also learn from individuals such as Thela and comply with the SAPS Code of Conduct and Ethics, which prescribed and emphasised the importance of ethical behaviour and integrity for all employees.
He said only disciplined members were needed in the police and he called on those who were doing the opposite to freely leave the service before they were removed. He explained that those who were not upholding high levels of morality and integrity, tarnished the good work of those who worked hard to bring an end to crime in the communities.
“We cannot accommodate laziness, slow delivery of services and a poor sense of urgency that robs our people of decent services. Our commitment towards ensuring that all South African are secured and feel safe in their homes, their places of work and their communities and in their own streets cannot be overemphasised,” said the MEC.
The full list of winners and runners-up is as follows:
Best-performing Station Managed by Captain to Lieutenant Colonel
• First: Machadodorp Police Station
• Second: Balfour Police Station
• Third: Ogies Police Station
Best station managed by Colonel and higher
• First: Mhala Police Station
• Second: Calcutta Police Station
• Third: Ogies Police Station
Best Station managed by Female Commander
• First: Mhala Police Station
• Second: Balfour Police Station
• Third: Piet Retief Police Station
Station with Best-functioning Community Policing Forum (CPF)
• First: Machadodorp Police Station
• Second: Morgenzon Police Station
• Third: Ogies Police Station
Best-overall Police Station
• First: Machadodorp Police Station
• Second: Mhala Police Station
• Third: Balfour Police Station.
The department’s traffic intervention unit and South African Police Service’s Tactical Response Team also received MEC’s Special Awards for their work in crime prevention and enhancing road safety in the province. Other special awards recipients were Mpumalanga’s protection and security services.
