MEC Nkosi-Malobane honours dedicated Gauteng police with awards

The second-annual Gauteng Department of Community Safety Awards saw police officers rewarded for their sacrifices and dedication in executing their duties.

The law enforcement officers, both the South African Police Services and the Gauteng Traffic Police, were awarded trophies at a gala event held at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature offices on 21 February.

Police officers and their senior managers attended in numbers. The awards were organised by the Provincial Community Safety Department and attended by MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane accompanied by the newly appointed Gauteng commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela.

Among others who were awarded were Community Policing Forums (CPFs), police stations and dedicated citizens who play a significant role in the fight against crime in the province.

Kliptown Police Station in Soweto was awarded the Police Station of the Year award while Randfontein Police Station walked away with the Most Improved Police Station in the SAPS award.

In the same category, Vereeniging Police Station received both the Most Effective Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit award as well as the Community Collaboration award.

None of the stations that fall within the Johannesburg north-east suburbs were awarded in any of these prestigious categories.

Yusuf Abramjee, the renowned social media crime buster, was also awarded by Nkosi-Malobane in the MEC’s special awards category for dedicating his life to justice. The same award was also presented to Kalyani Pillay, the current chairperson of the International Banking Security Association.

The former commissioner, now replaced by Mawela, Deliwe De Lange was also honoured in absentia with the MEC’s special award. Nkosi-Malobane said she was honoured to have served with De Lange during her time as a top cop in Gauteng.

In the traffic department award categories, the Pretoria Regional Office walked away with the most improved regional office while GTP Saturation Unit and their special patrol unit was awarded as the most effective specialised units in Gauteng.

All the Metro police departments in Gauteng, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Tshwane were also present at the awards.

Johannesburg lost in all the categories with Tshwane and Ekurhuleni taking home the By-law Enforcement Award and Crime Prevention Award respectively.

Speaking at the event, Nkosi-Malobane praised all the police, both the awardees as well as the runner-ups, saying they are all winners in various respects.

The MEC said most of the police go beyond the call of duty and even put their lives at risk to ensure that the province is safe for all.

“This is an opportune moment that we celebrate and give recognition to your efforts,” said Nkosi-Malobane further congratulating the winners.

“It’s appropriate that I should also congratulate all the nominees because I believe most of you here are committed soldiers of our people. Through your sacrifices and dedication, you have demonstrated your willingness to serve,” she said.

The MEC said through innovative and highly impactful programmes they shall continue in their endeavour to reduce crime rates to acceptable levels and ensure that criminals are becoming increasingly aware that their crimes will not be tolerated in Gauteng.

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