Not just a job but a calling
A local policeman has won a national award making him the best of the best.
Thirty years of dedication and excellent detective work saw a local police officer being awarded as the best of the best.
Captain Chris Heyns was awarded as the Detective employee of the Year at this year’s South African Police Service National Excellence Awards. After being a runner-up three times in a row, Heyns did not give up but rather kept up the good work.
Captain Heyns remembered the moment he was announced as the winner, “This year Captain Heyns became the best of the best”.
The News met up with Heyns in the office of the station’s new Acting Commander, Colonel Pinky Jojisa’s earlier this week.
“We are so proud of you,” she said as he entered the office.
The compliments did not end there as Captain Heyns was congratulated while walking down the corridor, making his way to the next office.
He prepared a beautiful speech in advance for the big night, just in case he was announced as the winner.
“I am just an instrument of God. To my colleagues, don’t be afraid to work hard and go beyond the call of duty because one day you will become the winner,” the very proud and humble policeman said.
Heyns has been involved in many high profile cases which led to many successful arrests and good convictions.
As the lead of the Economic Detective Group (EDG) he has linked many arrested suspects to other offenses, cracking more than one case at a time. The EDG works mainly on shoplifting, fraud and house breaking cases.
From 2012 to 2014 Heyns was responsible for a total of 60 arrests linked to housebreaking, theft and house robbery cases.
He currently has 40 cases on hand which was successfully investigated and on the court roll ready for trial.
Some of his cases include the successful conviction of Erick Nkuna and Fortunato Sinbine who were linked to four house robbery cases and a murder in Noordheuwel. They were found guilty in 2014 and was sentenced to 45 years imprisonment each.
He also worked on the Marinda O’Dell case where Cederick Lebia and Standley Mabulani were found guilty of house robbery and murder in 2009 and received 60 years imprisonment each.
His latest successful conviction included two brothers, Patrick and Johan Nkuna who were arrested and linked to nine house robberies and 11 housebreakings which saw the duo being sentenced to life imprisonment.
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