Gauteng: Gauteng Detectives shine at National Excellence Awards #ServiceExcelle…

Gauteng: Gauteng Detectives shine at National Excellence Awards #ServiceExcellence #SapsAwards

Parktown: Two of Gauteng's finest investigators on Friday 25 January 2019, walked away with top honours at the SAPS National Excellence Awards hosted by the Minister of Police Bheki Cele and the National Commissioner, General Kehla Sitole in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.

Brigadier Johan Ndlovu and Constable Mokoena were two of the select-few recipients of the National Commissioner's special awards.

Brigadier Ndlovu, Gauteng's Provincial Head of Detectives with over 30 years’ experience as an Investigator, was recognised for his consistently effective investigations that have seen hardened criminals thrown in prison. Some CIT robbers, ATM bombers, car and truck hijackers, and other serious and violent crime convicts, are serving long term sentences because of the leadership and quality investigations of the Brigadier.

Ndlovu has throughout his career also groomed many Detectives, some of whom are serving in the highest echelons of the SAPS hierarchy.

For his unwavering spirit of altruism and commitment to finding justice for victims of crime, Brigadier Ndlovu was promoted by the National Commissioner at the Awards last night, to the rank of Major General. He will serve as Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection in Gauteng.

To many women and children who have been victims of crime especially domestic violence and sexual offences, Constable Tlala Mokoena is one investigator whose quality of investigations and successful convictions have restored their confidence in the police.

Mokoena is with the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit and is behind the recent conviction of Soweto Taxi Rapist, Gift Lebohang Mokwena. He has also previously arrested a suspect for rape and managed to link that suspect to 92 other rape cases. The suspect is serving a hefty 105 years behind bars. At least five other serial rapists are serving time behind bars thanks to Constable Mokoena who ensured multiple life sentences against several serial rapists who had been terrorising women in various parts of Gauteng.

Mokoena was promoted by the National Commissioner, from Constable to Warrant Officer, skipping the rank of Sergeant, also with effect from 01 February 2019.

Meanwhile, a number of other members from Gauteng were also called up to receive either the Minister's Award or the National Commissioner's Award. Amongst them were Constable Mbatha of Sandrigham, who had just knocked off duty last year in Alexandra when she spotted and chased a suspicious vehicle which was later recovered with stolen property. Mbatha was one of the Minister's Awards recipients.

Warrant Officer Godi, Sergeants Masetlha and Jones, Constable Jones, and many other finalists from Gauteng, were also recognised at the prestigious event and commended for their selfless work and commitment towards reducing crime in the Province, and ultimately restoring public confidence.

Gauteng was also honoured as best Province for the most effective implementation of the 72-hour activation plan in response to serious and violent crime, which resulted in a number of arrests and recovery of stolen property and money.

Major General Max Masha, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of police in Gauteng, on behalf of the management and members of the SAPS in the Province, congratulated all the nominees, finalists and winners. "The commitment to the oath to serve and to protect, carries with it the core value of altruism where members serve the public selflessly without expecting a reward. The achievements and recognition of these members, must be seen as encouragement to do more, and more importantly, should encourage fellow officers and members that hard work pays", said Major General Masha in commending the members.

Source