The brave men and women of the South African Police Services (SAPS) who displayed exceptional courage in making Gqebera a safer city were honoured at the inaugural SAPS district awards for the Nelson Mandela Bay cluster on Thursday.
The event was held at the St. George's Park Cricket Stadium and hosted by NMB District Commissioner Major-General Vuyisile Ncata.
In addition to the various station commanders and members in the district being honoured, two of the top awards, namely the Woman and Man of the Year awards, were bestowed on recipients who ensure that the wheels are turning behind the scenes.
The event further emphasised the importance of the police working with members of the community, reservists, members of crime-prevention forums, and private security companies to combat crime.
Walmer police station, under the command of Colonel Zandile Bodlani, was named station of the year.
Bodlani and the previous station commander, Brigadier Crystal McClean (who is now in charge at the Mount Road police station) were the joint recipients of the award.
Ncata said when he arrived in Nelson Mandela Bay in July, the station was over-run with a high murder rate until various strategies were implemented to curb the problem.
He praised the commanders' resilience and said that in addition to breaking records, the station had not recorded a single murder in the last three months.
"They have truly made me believe that it is possible to turn the tide against crime," said Ncata.
The Chairperson of the Gelvandale Crime Prevention Forum (CPF), Audrey Campher, was named CPF Person of the Year.
She stressed the importance of having a good working relationship between the CPF, members of the community, and the SAPS.
"Some people have lost their trust in the SAPS. Our job is to empower people with the knowledge that SAPS is there to protect and serve.
"In many sectors, the trust is now being restored through solid and meaningful engagement between the community and SAPS.
"We are in a marriage with SAPS. We do have our fights, but overall we work together for the greater good."
The Principal Personnel Officer at Mount Road police station, 56-year-old Ricky Venter, walked off with the title of Woman of the Year.
She has 31 years of service under her belt and works behind the scenes in the Human Resources Division, handling everything related to statistics
"I feel happy and honoured that my hard work and dedication has been rewarded," she said.
Man of the Year, Captain Freddy Effenaar, 50, heads up the supply chain division at the Kamesh police station.
He's the one who makes sure that those on the ground are equipped and combat-ready with the necessary resources.
"I see to things like vehicles and making sure that the tires on the vehicles are fine and that it's in working condition.
"Among others, we procure things like furniture, lockers for the members to keep their belongings in and other things that they will need in the execution of their jobs."
Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk commended the police for the stellar work they are doing in combatting crime.
