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Police members honoured for outstanding service

Among the SAPS personnel honoured at the Carnival City and Afrisun Trust's 2011 SAPS Awards dinner was the late constable Bongani Dhlamini who, together with sergeant Maurice Moloi, was instrumental in the capture of the notorious Facebook rapist.

The four nominees in each of the nine contested categories included permanent SAPS members, civilians, reservists, volunteers and community police forum members from throughout the Ekurhuleni district. The awards attracted 170 entries this year.

Constable Dhlamini and sergeant Moloi from Brackendowns SAPS were both nominated for Top Cop for the role they played in apprehending the man dubbed the Facebook rapist. He taunted police for months before he was finally arrested in Alberton in October last year. He is currently in prison on several charges of kidnap and rape and one of murder. Constable Dhlamini sadly passed away on 5 March, however his memory was honoured with a special merit award presented to him posthumously.

Best Community Police Forum

The award for Best Visible Police Member as well as Top Cop went to constable J. Pillay from the North East Rand Dog Unit. Actonville constable A.M. Latif was named the Best Reservist for outstanding work in the community and for his involvement in the arrest of criminals for murder, ATM-bombings and police killings. Oupa Thobejane from Vosloorus was named Best Volunteer, while Selvan Naidoo, chairperson of the Actonville-Wattville Community Police Forum accepted the Best Community Police Forum Award on behalf of them.

Captain S. Maome from Primrose was named Best Crime and/or Communication Member and detective warrant officer M.J. Seema from Boksburg North walked off with the Award for Best Detective. Brakpan administration clerk Shaun Hansen received the Award for Best Support Service Member and/or Civilian.

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