Warrant Officer Blunden reclaims the EC SAPS top cop position #ExcellenceAward…

Warrant Officer Blunden reclaims the EC SAPS top cop position
#ExcellenceAwards #ServiceExcellence

KING WILLIAM’S TOWN – When you do your work with the aim of getting an award, most of the time your efforts do not yield the desired results, but when you do your work diligently with courtesy, dedication and attention to detail, your work gets noticed and rewarded. This is the consistent winning formula that has led Warrant Officer Severiano Blunden to be awarded as the overall winner at the Eastern Cape Provincial Service Excellence Awards that were held at ICC, East London on 07 November 2019. These awards are aimed to display gratitude to employees who worked diligently or went out of their way to do more, displaying, bravery discipline, determination and loyalty.

Blunden is not new to winning this prestigious award as he was previously crowned as the overall winner in the Eastern Cape in 2016 and ultimately chosen as a national winner. The National Commissioner, who was impressed with his output, saw him fit and deserving to be promoted to the rank of a Warrant Officer, an award he shared with his patrolling partner, Warrant Officer Siphumelele Msindwana.

The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga said in her address "Tonight is a proud moment for the SAPS as we acknowledge members who have gone above and beyond their usual call of duty with their immense contribution to the organization’s success in fulfilling its strategic objectives. The recipients of the awards sacrificed their time and energy to advance the vision and mission of the South African

Police Service. Therefore, these awards are serving as a token of our appreciation and gratitude to their persistent commitment. My message is loud and clear, we must earn our successes. We must sweat for our rewards and we must be wise as a serpent but humble as doves if we are to attain our goals."

She further expressed her gratitude to our MEC, Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe and Divisional Commissioner Lt Gen Ntshiea for always being there for the South African Police Service Eastern Cape and never disappointed." Your generosity doesn’t go unnoticed, we are indebted by your undying support."

Warrant Officer Blunden’s secret formula is being a loner who is very fond of his job. He has on several occasions arrested suspects while off-duty or on leave. His specialisation is recovery of hijacked vehicles using the technology from Tracker, a company that has partnered with SAPS in the fight against rampant vehicle hijack and theft in the Nelson Mandela Metro, where Blunden works as a member of Highway Patrol.

His exceptional commitment was evident from the successes he achieved for the financial year 2018/2019. During this period he arrested 102 suspects for serious crimes where 39 firearms and 9 replica firearms were recovered. He also helped in the recovery of 56 stolen vehicles that had been hijacked with an estimated value of R10 million rand, stolen property valued at R620 000-00 and cash to the tune of R210 000-00. In one incident on 16 January 2019, that involved a shootout between police and criminals, WO Blunden was wounded but his reward was recovery of 19 illegal firearms in one crime scene. During this shootout, one prominent member of Gangsters Abdul Mulick aka Dopeboys-Upstand Dogs in the Port Elizabeth Northern Areas was fatally wounded.

His dedication and passion for his work has seen him on several accounts while off duty, signing back on duty to combat crime. That shows how passionate he is in the fight against crime.

In his acceptance speech Warrant Officer Blunden thanked God Almighty, his Senior Managers, Commanders and colleagues who always supported him in his efforts, whether he is hot on the heels of criminals or requesting back up in order to accomplish a task that needs teamwork. He also encouraged his colleagues to emulate him and work harder, not give up until they reached the top.

The MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison Honorable Weziwe Tikana – Gxothiwe said, "Through these awards the government is able to recognize efforts, sacrifice and the extra mile gone by the men and women in blue in the fight against crime. She further said it is encouraging that EC SAPS recognizes members for job well done as well as team work. We also want to encourage Men for Change and Women's Network within the organization for the great work they are doing. With these awards we will encourage them to do more," said the MEC.

The National Divisional Commissioner: Personnel Management, Lt General Ntshiea said the SAPS job is very strenuous but it is encouraging to see members continue to do well. She thanked the Provincial Commissioner Lt General Ntshinga for continuously honouring members who are doing that extra mile. She further encouraged members to write down all of their best efforts and submit to the Awards Committee so that in the near future, their duties can be recognised through commendation certificates, awards and more importantly, monetary awards. “There are millions of rands put aside to award members,” she said. She also took this opportunity to announce that the National Excellence Awards will be hosted by the Eastern Cape in 2020.

The following are the winners in other categories: Vispol team of the year: Cst KS Mtiya from Queenstown cluster

* Vispol employee of the year, level 8 – 12: Capt Belinda Singh from Gelvandale SAPS

* Vispol employee of the year, level 5 – 7: WO SY Blundin from PE Flying Squad

* Sport Star of the year: Captain AB Langa from Mdantsane SAPS

* Person with disability: PPO MP Banzana from Algoa Park SAPS

* Admin employee of the year: Forman KA Cele from Cedarville SAPS

* Admin employee of the year: 5 – 7 – SAC du Plessis from Port Alfred

* Admin team of the year: Lt Col Strydom

* Admin team of the year: Lt Col de Kock from Port Alfred

* Best station:

Small: St Francis

Medium: Dimbaza

Large: New Brighton

* Reservist of the Year: R/WO FI Pitt from Queenstown

* CPF of the year: Idutywa

Best Individual – Mr LE Ntloko

* Woman of the year: D/Typist X Ralane Matumbu from Queenstown

* Man of the year: WO YS Blunden from PE Flying Squad.

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