Long-serving Metro police officer and head of the Integrated Intelligence Operations Centre (IIOC) unit which operates undercover in Johannesburg CBD, Superintendent Phineas Manyama has scooped the Officer of the Year award taking home a brand-new Polo Vivo as one of the prizes.
Manyama who has been an officer in the department for 30 years was awarded at a ceremony held on 26 November in Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg. During the handover of the car at the JMPD headquarters on 3 December, Manyama attributed his success to great team work, dedication to fight crime and respect among colleagues.
Since the inception of the unit in May this year, over 2 000 people were arrested for various crimes including the arrest of two suspects who shot and killed a helper and a medical doctor at her house in Zakariya Park, South of Johannesburg in September this year.
The suspects were arrested by the IIOC unit in Johannesburg CBD after receiving a tip-off. One of the suspects was driving a car stolen during the robbery when the Metro officer pounced on him. Another suspect was apprehended in a taxi to Limpopo at the Wanderers Taxi Rank.
Manyama also championed the deployment and monitoring of officers controlling traffic during the closure and rehabilitation of the M2 bridge. Furthermore, he was tasked with dealing with illegal dumping in various areas of the City resulting in 54 vehicles impounded and 41 fines paid at R10 000 each.
He said, “I feel very happy to have won the award. It’s the first time I win an award since I joined the force in 1989. This is very encouraging and makes me want to do more. It was not easy but my goal was to win against crime for the community.”
Manyama also won the Best Superintendent in Crime Prevention award. He said he derived his encouragement from JMPD Chief David Tembe who has brought improvement in the working conditions of officers. “When the Chief arrived, we saw a lot of improvement in our working conditions which enabled us to rest more and earn more. That also gave me time to plan, strategise and execute duties in the most effective way possible, to keep the inner city safe and eliminate criminal activities.”
The father of four children described himself as a disciplinarian and an enemy of crime. This he said has also inspired his two children to join the police department. “My children are happy that I do this type of work and they also chose to follow suit. When I see the awards at home, I think of the community and it reminds me of my duties to serve. If two days pass without making any arrest, I don’t feel well, I feel incompetent because I know I haven’t taken at least one criminal off the streets for two days.”
He said one of the things that makes him sleep better at night is knowing that people now walk more freely in the city to do their shopping and crime complaints have minimised. “I love my job and I encourage unity among my colleagues. All of us must always remember that our duty is to protect and serve the residents of the City. I will use the car I have just won to visit my mother in Limpopo and show her the results of my hard work and efforts in my line of duty.”
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