The Krugersdorp Cluster Police recently had their annual prestige awards and officers were barely recognisable out of uniform and in tuxedos and evening dresses.

The awards took place at Silverstar Casino and the dress code was black tie. The awards were there to honour members of the Cluster for their outstanding service throughout the year. The categories ranged from detective of the year to sport star of the year.

Before the awards began, the Cluster took a moment to say goodbye to one of the Randfontein Police members, Colonel André de Bruin who has recently retired from the police force.

Cluster commander, Major General Anna Mateisi gave a word of encouragement to the officers present and said “I believe that each and every employee in the Krugersdorp Police Cluster are contributing 100 per cent towards the aim and vision of the police but tonight we celebrate excellence.

Tonight’s recognition is a small token of our appreciation for your effort and diligence in making the Krugersdorp Cluster a safe and secure environment. You excelled in everything you did therefore I wish to encourage you with the following words of Vince Lombardi, ‘It is time for us all to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever – the one who recognises the challenges and does something about it’.”

The program then proceeded to the awards section. Randfontein raked in a few awards specifically for Vispol employee of the year from level 8 to 12, captain FM Balepile. He was described as being available to the community even when he is off duty. It was also said that he would attend to complaints in his private vehicle.

Randfontein was also the runner-up to the detective of the year with Warrant Officer Karen Nel as Randfontein’s candidate.

Tarlton Police scored themselves a few awards. Constable Lucky Matome won the best communication officer of the year. Furthermore Tarlton also won support employee of the year and detective of the year from level 8 to 12.

The station that took the most awards was Kagiso. They raked them in by the dozen. Kagiso won Vispol employee of the year from level 3 to 7, reservist of the year and CIO employee of the year from level 8 to 12. In addition, they won support employee of the year from level 8 to 12, best MIC of the year and support service group of the year.

Furthermore, Krugersdorp held their own and won best FCS member, LCRC employee of the year from level 3 to 7 and best social crime prevention of the year. The officer who won the best social crime prevention was Warrant Officer RJ Pain. Pain was highly commended for all he has done in the Krugersdorp community.

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