SAPS National Excellence Awards Winner gets a Promotion, R20 000 and a Toyota C-…

SAPS National Excellence Awards Winner gets a Promotion, R20 000 and a Toyota C-HR #SapsAwards #ServiceExcellence

Pretoria: Gauteng’s Detective Warrant Officer Tlala John Mokoena is the South African Police Service’s 6th National Excellence Awards Laureate Winner. He was rewarded on the spot with a promotion from Constable to Warrant Officer, R20 000 cash and a brand new Toyota C-HR. This year “SAPS Brightest Stars” were celebrated at the Ingwenyama Conference and Sports Resort in White River, Mpumalanga on Friday 24 January 2019.

The National Excellence Awards is held annually with the intention to reward, motivate and boost the morale of the men and women in blue for their outstanding performance and loyalty to the Service. Each province is given the opportunity to host this prestigious event on a rotational basis and this year Mpumalanga was the host.

Mokwena, this year’s brightest star of the Service was voted the Laureate winner by an overwhelming majority of delegates. His performance is an excellent indication that there are police officers that epitomise policing as a calling. He is a second time winner of the National Commissioner’s Special Award. He received the award for outstanding performance last year and again this year where it culminated into him being the delegates’ favourite for having removed six serial rapists from the streets of Gauteng. The six were sentenced to a combined 17 life and more than 800 years imprisonment.

“It was a moment of shock and disbelief which is worth celebrating. The investigating of serial rapists takes a lot of time away from family and one is unable to socialise. My colleagues are always there to assist me especially with the tracing of suspects and I am grateful for their support”, expressed Mokoena.

He went on to say to his peers and colleagues that, “We all possess the same potential which only needs to be tapped into. God gave us talent and this recognition comes from Him. This is my time and your time will follow”.

Mokoena, a father of four has acknowledged the unconditional support he receives from his wife.

Members were awarded in 35 categories with 127 individual winners and 20 special awards by the Police Minister Bheki Cele, the Deputy Minister Bongani Mkongi and the National Commissioner General Khehla John Sitole.

The National Commissioner explained that the National Excellence Awards are connected to the Human Capital Investment Strategy. “This is outlined in the SAPS Turnaround Vision’s value statement where we acknowledge, reward and celebrate performance”, said General Sitole. He went further to highlight the excellent work performed by members highlighting the major drug busts in KwaZulu Natal. General Sitole went on to say, “Today, the honourable heroes, please step forward now in your capacity as police men and women. You’ve borne your burden well. Come and walk the beat on the heavens street. You’ve done your time in hell and today is your time for the heaven”.

With the Minister having declared this financial year, 2018/2019 the year for focusing on crimes against women and children. It is only befitting that the overall winner is attached to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences.

The main sponsors of the event were Old Mutual and Tracker. These sponsors together with others made it possible for the winners to take home, over and above a brand new vehicle, smart cellphones and tablets while all attendees also received a goodie bag.

South African Idols winners, for 2013 Musa Sukwene and 2015 Karabo Mogane had members dancing to their melodic sounds through the night.

The categories for the National Excellence Awards with their respective winners can be found of the SAPS website: www.saps.gov.za

“Celebrating SAPS Brightest Stars”

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