EL policeman named EC Star of the Year

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

East London K-9 Unit member, Warrant Officer Kilian Steyn, has been crowned the SAPS's Eastern Cape Star of the Year.

He was among three finalists who battled it out at the Eastern Cape police's Service Excellence Awards held at Hemingways in East London on Friday night.

Steyn was in competition with two tough teams of dedicated divers from the Provincial Search and Rescue Team and a brave member, Constable Roseman Simayile from Cofimvaba.

However, provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Celiwe Binta, said Steyn displayed bravery and dedication in an incident that happened on the 7th April this year where he intercepted a robbery in progress.

"He was off duty when he received a call about a robbery in progress where three men robbed Engen Garage and took an undisclosed amount of cash. Even though he was off-duty, without hesitation, he rushed to the scene and pursued the robbers. They shot and injured him just below the heart, thanks to his bullet proof vest the injury was minimal. His intervention helped recover a hijacked Mercedes Benz sedan, a stolen firearm and the large amount of cash.'

Steyn received a big trophy and R10 000 cash prize for his bravery, dedication and tactical reaction when it mattered most from the Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Celiwe Binta.

The full list of categories that were awarded included:

1. Star of the year-Warrant Officer Kilian Steyn (East London K9)

2. Provincial Commissioner's Good Ambassador-Captain Nick Zinja(Camera) and Lt Col Fatyela (Mthatha Communication)

3. Communicator of the Year-Gerda Swart (Uitenhage Communication)

4. Best Support Service personnel- Mt Road and Gelvandale MIC and Uitenhage Finance

5. Best Reservist- Cst Qhaji(Qumbu), Cst Solomons (Jansenville) and Cst Yaliwe (Tamara)

6. Administration employee- (level 1-7 & 8-12)Mes B Mnothoza (PC: Personnel Management)&PPO Banzana(Algoa Park)

7. Person with disability of the year-Captain Ruiters (PHO Detectives)

8. Vispol employee/team of the year-(level 1-7 and level 8-12) Major Vingqi( Mount Road SAPS)&W/O Steyn(EL-K9)

9. Sports star of the year-Cst Tunzi (Marshal arts-East London) and AC Riko Schutte(PE FSL-Chess)

10. Detective team of the year-(Team and employee)-East London Detectives and Barkly East

11. Best station of the year- (Small, medium and large) Karedouw, Uitenhage and Humewood

12. Woman of the year- (Women's Network)-Lt Thembi Gwe, Cst Ndevu(Tamara) and PAC Mashiqana(Alice)

13. Man of the year- (Men for Change) Col C Vermaak (Gelvandale)

14. Community forum team- Komga, KwaNobuhle and Uitenhage

15. Community police forum-KwaNobuhle, Mdantsane and Ezibeleni

16. Best Cluster-Cradock

This year's winners will now represent the Province in the National Service Excellence awards next year.