Best in Gauteng

The event, which aims to recognise and reward Gauteng SAPS members for their outstanding service, was held at the Birchwood Hotel, in Boksburg on Saturday evening, last week.

The Brakpan Anti-Hijacking Task Team, which comprises WO Jan Roos, WO Sonja van der Walt, Const Clifford Bezuidenhout, Const Sevha Mashakeni and Const Jacques Vivier, was the winner in the “Operational Team of the Year” category.

This hard working response team members, who were the first runners-up in this category last year, were commended for their achievements and dedication.

The pride they have in the job and the skilful manner in which they perform their duties is evident in their successes.

Some of these were recently highlighted in the Herald (August 22, ”All in a day’s work for Anti-Hijacking Task Team”), when it was reported how the members made nine arrests in just two days.

The arrests were made for house robbery, hijacking, armed robbery, being in possession of a suspected stolen vehicle, burglary and murder.

The team also recovered stolen vehicles and an unlicensed firearm.

In addition to this award, the Brakpan Police Station’s finance department scooped the award for “Support Group of the Year”, and Juan-Marié van der Schyff, a switchboard operator, was the runner-up in the “Disabled Person of The Year” category.

Brakpan Police Station commander Brig Johannes Manyathele praised the members.

“We are immensely proud of their achievements and I believe this is something the entire Brakpan community can be proud of,” he said.

“We thank them for their hard work and dedication.”