North Coast cops scoop top excellence awards
Umhlali Saps' Captain Vinny Pillay, K9 officer Clinton Odayar and KwaDukuza Saps' admin employee Priya Nunkumar recognised for their sterling work.
The good work of local police members was acknowledged at this year’s KZN Saps Excellence Awards held at the Coastlands Musgrave Hotel in Durban.
Umhlali K9 officer Clinton Odayar won the Man of the Year award, while Umhlali police spokesperson Captain Vinny Pillay finished second in the same category.
Priya Nunkumar of KwaDukuza Saps was named winner of the Administration Employee of the Year award.
Odayar, who won the 2019 Integrity Icon South Africa award, said he was honoured to be recognised for his dedication and commitment to duty.
“This award has motivated me to want to achieve more in the years ahead. My work colleagues, the community and my family have played a vital role in my success over the years,” he said.
Pillay said he was pleased that Odayar won the category and kept the award in the district.
Pillay was the first Saps member to win the Integrity Icon South Africa award in 2018, and was named national Saps Man of the Year in 2020.
“I am thankful to all the people who support us and grateful to be recognised for all the hard work we put in,” said Pillay.
Nunkumar said she was ecstatic when she heard her name being called by the programme director, and the excitement hasn’t settled in as yet.
“What an honour to win such a prestigious award, recognising the projects and campaigns I did as communications officer,” said Nunkumar.
She said she designed a child identification booklet which was launched at KwaDukuza Saps in 2021. It was created to assist family members during emergency cases where children have gone missing or urgent information is required about a child.
“I have also launched one of the biggest gender-based violence awareness campaigns which featured at KwaDukuza Saps, police stations in the iLembe district and adopted by the KZN women’s network. It also featured in police minister Bheki Cele’s 10km GBV Walk in 2021.”
She was also recognised for her awareness campaigns in all KwaDukuza schools where cases of bullying occurred.
Follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube for breaking news
Telegram Broadcast Service: https://t.me/joinchat/yJULuN8NaCs5OGM0
WhatsApp Broadcast Service: Add The Courier to WhatsApp at 082 792 9405 and WhatsApp your name and surname to be added.
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
