The KwaZulu-Natal South African Police Service (SAPS) hosted its annual Excellence Awards last Friday, recognising outstanding police officers for their dedication and bravery throughout the challenging 2023/2024 financial year.
This prestigious event, held to honour those who went above and beyond in safeguarding the community, was attended by top officials, including the provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, and KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli.
Reflecting on the dangers faced by police officers daily, Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi said SAPS members were under immense risk when confronting ruthless criminals.
“The streets they operate on are dangerous, and the criminals they deal with are ruthless and heartless,” he said, praising the courage required to combat the high rate of violent crime in the province.
During the past year, police statistics revealed a disturbing surge in violent incidents across KwaZulu-Natal.
Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi reported that 151 mass murder incidents, in which two or more victims were killed in a single attack, left 380 people dead.
SAPS managed to arrest 67 suspects involved in these heinous crimes. In total, police arrested 121 614 suspects, seized 3 765 firearms, and recovered thousands of rounds of ammunition. Intensified patrols in vehicle crime hotspots, such as the Emanguzi area, led to the recovery of 3632 stolen or hijacked vehicles.
The Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit also made significant strides, arresting 6131 suspects and securing 447 convictions, which included 82 life sentences and a total of 3421 years of imprisonment for convicted offenders.
Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi highlighted the SAPS’s fiscal responsibility, noting that the Provincial Finance Unit received a Clean Audit and the Divisional Commissioner’s Award, placing it among the top three achievers in the country.
“Despite budget reductions and cost-containment measures, our officers continued to serve with dignity and determination,” he said.
“However, the past year was not without tragedy, as nine police officers lost their lives in the line of duty. Seven were shot and killed, and one officer was gunned down while responding to a cash-in-transit robbery,” said Mkhwanazi.
He condemned the illegal firearms that contributed to these losses, saying the deaths left behind grieving families and orphaned children.
“When police find themselves under attack and return fire, critics accuse us of being ‘trigger-happy,’” Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi said. “We will not be lectured by those who have never set foot on the streets we police. Officers are issued tools to protect themselves, and no police officer should die at the hands of a criminal.”
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli also commended the SAPS officers for their relentless efforts. “This event recognises those officers who have not only done their duty but have gone beyond the call of duty. These men and women have shown innovation in problem-solving, bravery in the face of direct threat, and compassion in moments of human suffering,” Mr Ntuli said.
He did, however, express concern over some officers who allegedly collaborated with criminals, calling for a zero-tolerance approach to such betrayals of duty.
