POLOKWANE – Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo says members of the South African Police Service in Limpopo made an indelible mark during the awards.
One of the night’s biggest winners was the Station Commander of Bolobedu Police Station, Colonel Kgashane David Mahlaola, who Mojapelo says put police in Limpopo in the history books, by becoming the Disabled Employee of the Year.
Photo: Lim SAPS
Mahlaola walked away with a huge prize including a brand new car, cash, and trophy and a certificate, R1 500 in grocery money as well as a one week cruise.
Photo: Lim SAPS
“Despite being disabled (he became disabled after he was shot on duty), Colonel Mahlaola managed to beat all his counterparts in the categories of visible policing,” Mojapelo said.
Other winners included:
• A member from Crime Intelligence (his identity was withheld) came out tops in the Crime Intelligence category. He received a trophy, a certificate, cash and R1 500 in grocery money.
• Colonel Shumani Bethuel Raphulu, attached to the Thohoyandou Cluster Detectives, beat his national counterparts to come out tops in the Detective category. He received a trophy, a certificate, cash and R1 500 in grocery money.
• A member from Crime Intelligence (his identity was withheld) received an award for leading a highly successful crime intelligence trio crimes task team. He walked away with a trophy, a certificate and cash.
• Sergeant Mosima Asnath Makgaba, attached to Provincial Corporate Communication was runner up in the Female Employee of the Year category. She received a certificate, two cell phones, an iPad and cash.
• Constable Glender Mathebula was the runner up in the Detective Service Employee of the Year award. She received a certificate, two cell phones, an iPad and cash.
Mojapelo says the event was attended by the Police Minister, Fikile Mbalula, and his Deputy, Bongani Mkonki.
“Also in attendance was the National Commissioner, General Khehla Sitole; the Deputy National Commissioners, the Divisional Commissioners, all Provincial Commissioners, Deputy Provincial Commissioners, other senior police management from National and Provinces and police nominees from across the country.”
Members of the police service were nominated for excellent performances in various policing environments in all nine provinces and the provincial winners became national nominees.
The event preceded National Police Day which was held in Durban on Saturday.
Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba, who was also in attendance says he was at at loss for words.
“I have never seen something like this before. These accolades are bound to serve as an inspiration to other members that hard work indeed pays off. I regard this as a challenge as these members have raised the bar and are therefore expected to perform even better going forward”, concluded Ledwaba.
