Randburg Police Station earned some top honours at the Gauteng Police Prestige Awards 2014, including the best arrest of the year.
The awards were presented in Boksburg on 4 October to recognise police officers who went the extra mile in performing their duties.
Constables Mtholeni Buthelezi and Mthembeni Bhengu were awarded the best arrest of the year.
Randburg Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johannes Maja explained that the constables attended a complaint of housebreaking and robbery within a few minutes of it occurring.
The suspects were still in the house and opened fire at the officers.
The officers retaliated and managed to arrest the suspects.
Firearms were recovered.
Lieutenant Colonel Shakir Kasserchum was awarded the best shift commander.
Captain Tsietsi Malepe was awarded the third best support manager.
Colonel Andries Odendaal was awarded the second best sports administrator.
Col Odendaal is specifically responsible for tennis, and led South Africa’s team in the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) tennis tournament last year, where South Africa won five gold medals.
“I am very proud of my people,” Randburg Police Station Commander Brigadier Lettie Hugo said.
“We have a bunch of committed people here at Randburg. Of course, you have a few bad apples here and there but I am proud of these people’s commitment. They see the police as a calling not just a job to put food on the table. They want to serve the community first.”
W/O Maja said that he is “very proud of the effort and commitment” the officers showed.
Col Odendaal said that “it was very nice to be recognised” for actions beyond normal police work.
Details: Randburg police 011 449 9000.
