SIFISO Dubazane, a SAPS cleaner who also assists with breakdowns and the supply of water to16 police stations in the uThukela district, was named the overall winner at the SAPS Excellence Awards ceremony, held at Durban ICC’s on Sunday.
He also won the “Administration Employee of the Year Award” in Level 2 to 4.
The honour landed him a brand new a Toyota Starlet Cross and an ocean cruise.
When Dubazane was announced as the overall winner he danced all the way to the podium.
The audience responded by rising to their feet and joined in the celebration with dancing, clapping while some ululated.
Dubazane thanked everyone who made it possible for him to win and landing a car blew his mind.
In describing his duties, he said, “I clean at the police station, and I drive a water truck delivering water to police stations experiencing water shortages.
I also drive a tow truck, moving state cars to the police garage, including damaged and stolen vehicles.
“I separate my duties. I start by cleaning the charge office because it reflects the image of police station, then I do water deliveries with a truck, and when i’m done, I tow state cars to the police garage,” he said.
He said his love for operating tow trucks started in 1994.
“My advice to people who want to be successful in the workplace is to obey your leaders and be resilient.”
In second place was NH Mudau, an accounting clerk in the Financial Management Services at the SAPS head
office. His prizes were a motorbike, trophy and a trip on-board the blue train. He was also the Administration Employee of the Year Level 5-7.
Captain MP Diniso, Subsection Head of Service Termination in the
Eastern Cape, took third place and bagged a mountain bike, trophy and weekend away at the Kruger National Park. He contributed to rewriting the National Instruction on Service Termination, focusing on customary marriages and made efforts to facilitate financial assistance for 27 children of deceased SAPS employees, leaving a lasting impact on many lives. He won the Administration Employee of the Year Level 8-12.
The Detective Services Team of the Year award, went to KZN’s Colonel Bhekinkosi Bongani Ntshangase and his team who are attached to the provincial detective services.
Ntshangase’s team handled 120 crime scenes and 180 operations, arrested 150 violent crime suspects, including the accused in the Taylor’s Halt massacre. Their efforts secured 36 life sentences for three perpetrators and addressed high-profile cases like the AKA and Tibz murders.
Operations member of the year, level 5-7, went to KZN’s Warrant Officer C Odayar, a member of the Umhlali K9 Unit in the Ilembe District, who is a qualified search-and-rescue K9 handler. He handles emergencies ranging from natural disasters to crime incidents across KZN.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sheila Bulelwa Mateza of Nyanga SAPS in the Western Cape received the Woman of the Year award for her excellence in community service, and self-funding initiatives to address local needs. She was active in neighbourhood watches, and handled their administration and used her vehicle for patrols. She also launched food kitchens, e-learning centres, and after-care programs, provided uniforms, mentoring and school transport.
The man of the year award went to Sergeant NS Mabunda from Limpopo.
He is a trio crimes detective who solved multiple cases by recovering stolen vehicles and tracing suspects, and collaborated across provinces.
Amanzimtoti CPF in KwaZulu-Natal, led by Merlene Matthews walked away with the CPF of the year award.
Matthews was credited for expanding the CPF to eight sub-forums and five neighbourhood watches across three sectors. Her initiatives, included school programs on cyber-bullying, human trafficking, GBV, and teenage pregnancy, all of which strengthened their crime prevention efforts.
The Station Commander of the Year Award went to Colonel OK Letloenyane of Alberton SAPS in Gauteng. He is credited for transforming the Alberton police station through innovative leadership. Letloenyane’s achievements include a 54.7% reduction in contact crimes and a 64.18% increase in police-detected crimes.
Lieutenant Colonel Keamogetswe V Mzima, Commander of the Phokeng K9 Unit in North West, became the Operations Member of the year, Level 8 to 12. She achieved 261 disruptive operations, arrests and recovery of firearms, explosives, and drugs worth R8.3 million.
Vispol member of the year, Level 8 to12, was KZN’s Captain YB Bhagwandeen, an Operational Commander at Glencoe K9, who handled major cases like cash-in-transit robberies and recovered vehicles and firearms.
Other winners included KZN’s Warrant Officer V Abdul Rahim, a forensic analyst, who is one of South Africa’s 10 facial comparison experts.
Sergeant ML Mkhize of Mountain Rise Detective Services walked away with the Detective Services Employee of the Year award, Level 5-7, he achieved six life sentences from 15 cases he handled within a year.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, addressed the awards attendees.
DAILY NEWS