POLICE stations and Community Police Forums (CPF) across Zululand were among the many recipients at this year’s Community and Police Service Excellence Awards.
With the intention of recognising and awarding those in the service who perform beyond the call of duty in the fight against crime, the annual award ceremony is hosted by the KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu.
Both police officers and community members were recognised for this achievement across various categories.
In the Station Awards category, Mtubatuba scooped first prize for the Best Community Police Forum, with Empangeni grabbing third spot in the Specialised Units Awards, for the Best Tactical Response Team. In the category of Best Stock Theft Unit, KwaMbonambi took third place.
The Individual Awards category saw Brigadier Damane win the Best Policeman in Public Order Policing award and Nkosinathi Mkhwanazi, Chairperson of Pongola Community Youth Desk, win the Most Exemplary Youth Leader award.
Working with the police, Mkhwanazi and his team have successfully brought down drug traffickers along the Swaziland and Mozambique borders. Moreover, they resisted bribery and chose instead to hand criminals over to the police.
Hebert Ngcamphalala, speaker of Pongola Municipality, was recognised as being the Most Exemplary Community Leader in Crime Fighting and Community Safety, while also in Pongola, Zibuse Malinga of the Pongola Community Crime Prevention Association was awarded for being the Most Corroborative and Innovative Leader of voluntary crime fighting structures, and for promoting community safety.
‘We are paying tribute to all these humble servants of the people who continue to strive for improvements to the quality of life of KZN’s citizens,’ said Mchunu.
‘This event offers us an opportunity to celebrate those who have gone beyond the call of duty in the execution of critical service to the people.’
