Potchefstroom Police Station received a massive feather in its cap when it was named the best station in North West during the 11th Annual SAPS Excellence Awards at the Sun City Superbowl on Thursday, 16 November.

After a year of hard work under trying circumstances, this police station, under the leadership of the station commander, Brigadier Steven Moodley, was rewarded with this prestigious achievement. Brigadier Moodley also received a first runner-up award for “Senior Operational Manager of the Year”.

The Potchefstroom Community Police Forum (CPF), under the leadership of Trudie Botha, was the second runner-up in the “Community Police Forum of the Year” category. Categories on this night of excellence included Administration, Visible Policing, Detective and Forensic Services, Crime Intelligence, Protection and Security Services and the Provincial Commissioner’s Special Awards.

“We feel ecstatic that SAPS Potchefstroom was nominated and awarded the Excellence Award for the year 2022/2023. We attribute this win to the positive attitude of the entire team towards our community and vice versa,” stated Moodley.

“Besides being involved in operational duties, the administrative functions were also properly carried out. All Regulations, Standing Orders and Instructions including all prescripts was complied with,” stated Moodley in reference to his individual award for “Senior Operational Manager of the Year”.

The unit commander at Potchefstroom K9, Lt Col Otukile Daniel Mopedi, won the category Vispol and Operations Employee of the Year. During the 2022/2023 financial year, the unit made 215 arrests, confiscated several drugs, attended to 1,021 complaints, recovered seven firearms with 75 rounds of ammunition, searched 687 buildings and 147 vehicles and completed 85 fire investigations.

Other Potchefstroom-based police officers who received awards included Captain Hannes Greyling of the Provincial Drug Task Team for excellence in the fight against drugs. He also won the first prize in the category “level 8-12 Vispol Operation Team of the Year

Furthermore, Moodley thanked the senior management of the NW Province for the opportunity to manage SAPS Potchefstroom and emphasised the important role that the CPF plays.

“The relationship between the Potchefstroom Community Police Forum and the SAPS Potchefstroom is a relationship that is based on trust. This was the first democratically elected CPF that was established in Potchefstroom that also is fully represented in respect of, race, gender and age.”

“Much to be disappointment of some, this Community Police Forum has been addressing many issues related to the Social Fabric Crimes and has worked hand in hand with the local Police Station. The following are examples of projects engaged in: Provision of sanitary pads for Rape Survivors, assisting indigent community members with food hamper’s, planting of a community garden, addressing students about drug abuse and so forth. The creation of awareness about certain categories of crime helps in reduction thereof,” explained Moodley.

“In 2018 on my arrival at SAPS Potchefstroom the dream was to put this station on the map. We aimed to become the best police station in the country. The entire team bought into this dream and the dream is now coming into fruition,” said Moodley.

“We believe that if all goes well, we will achieve the dream. The station management that is in place is groomed and developed to carry on with the work that was started. The succession plan is in place to ensure continuity when my term as the station Commander comes to an end. They will be able to continue and maintain was has been achieved this far,” mentioned Moodley.

According to Moodley, attitude determines one’s altitude.

“The South African Police Service is a learning organisation and we are learning on a daily basis. It is a partnership between the Local Police, our Community Police Forum, JB Marks Municipality, Provincial Traffic, JB Marks Traffic, the Protection Service of the North West University our Community in Blue and our local security companies. This partnership needs to be developed further. We must also mention that the most effective sector crime forums, viz the CBD and Rural sector, Mooibank have contributed towards the significant reduction in crime in certain areas. Next year will definitely be better for both the South African Police Service and the Community of Potchefstroom.”