Men and Women in blue honoured
During the 2024/2025 prestigious Excellence Award ceremony held at Meriting Events in Vanderbijlpark, scores of police officers, dressed in their finest attire, gathered to receive their awards.
Several high-profile police officials attended the event, including the Free State's provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, and the District Commissioner, Major General Moses Makubo, among many other stakeholders.
Delivering a keynote address, Motswenyane applauded the recipients of the awards and motivated them to do more for the organisation.
'Your contribution in crime-fighting matters. Just do an introspection and check if you are good enough for this organisation. You must continue making the SAPS in Free State proud,' she said.
Motswenyane emphasised the importance of being dedicated even when not recognised through winning awards.
'If you feel like you are good at your job and not getting the necessary recognition, don't ever be demoralised. Rather, give yourself a pat on the shoulder and continue being motivated. Stay focused on what you are called for,' she added.
Motswenyane applauded the district for its impact in the fight against crime and emphasised the importance of policing in partnership with communities, particularly in the fight against gender-based violence.
Sharing the purpose of the day, Makubo acknowledged and celebrated outstanding performance within the district, which has seen a decline in different serious crimes.
'We have seen a drastic reduction of serious crime in our district, especially those I found prevalent when I assumed the position of being a commissioner, like kidnappings, carjackings, vehicle theft, among many others.
This proves that women and men are working hard, and we want to thank them for supporting our vision,' he said.
Makubo thanked stakeholders who help in crime fighting, such as the Community Policing Forum, and the South Africa Free State Fujian Overseas Chinese Association, who donate immensely in making sure that crime is a thing of the past.
The highlight of the day was the Bravery Award presented to Constable M. Mhlambi, along with a laptop sponsored by Jimmy Shi of the Chinese Association.
Awards were presented in various categories, including Administration, Vispol and Operations, Specialised Units, and Station of the Year, which was awarded
to Tumahole SAPS. Confiscated gun and ammunition following a raid in Amelia.
Free State provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane and the District Commissioner, Major General Moses Makubo, following the keynote address.
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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Gauteng police have since closed their investigation into the missing ceremonial mayoral chain, with no arrests made and the valuable symbol of office still unaccounted for. Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that no arrests had been made and directed inquiries to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). 'A theft case was opened and investigations were conducted, and the docket was brought before the Deputy Public Prosecutor, who declined to prosecute; hence, the matter was closed on 25 July 2025. 'For more information on reasons not to prosecute, kindly contact the NPA. No one was arrested in this matter. Like any other case, should there be new information/evidence, the case can be reopened to investigate the new info.' DA MPL Kingsol Chabalala described the case closure as disturbing, criticising SAPS for failing to provide a clear reason. 'It is disturbing to learn that the SAPS has closed a case relating to the missing mayoral chain in Sedibeng District Municipality without citing the reason. This is a serious matter that leaves suspicions as the case has been suddenly closed without any arrests or recoveries of the mayoral chain. Chabalala has submitted a letter to MEC for COGTA Jacob Mamabolo and Premier Panyaza Lesufi, demanding an explanation for why the investigation was closed without any resolution. He also called on Premier Lesufi's office to initiate an urgent, independent investigation into the disappearance of the mayoral chain, aiming to uncover the circumstances surrounding its loss and why the theft was not immediately reported to the police. Additionally, he requested clarity on why the police closed the case, including access to any documentation or findings that informed their decision. 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The case has sparked public outrage, with the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) holding protests in June 2024 to demand an investigation into the missing mayoral chain. Previously, as reported by IOL, five mayoral chains have been lost across South Africa, including the recently missing Sedibeng mayoral chain. In KwaZulu-Natal, Msunduzi Municipality saw seven out of 34 gold links vanish from its mayoral chain, once valued at R800 000. Kimberley, diamonds donated by Harry Oppenheimer, mysteriously disappeared from the city's chain, later replaced with fakes. Molemole Municipality in Limpopo lost a R100 000 chain in 2011, allegedly at the hands of the mayor's brother, while neighbouring Mogalakwena only realised its chain was gone during a mayoral inauguration in 2011.
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VANDERBIJLPARK – Fezile Dabi District police honoured brave and dedicated men and women in blue on August 1. During the 2024/2025 prestigious Excellence Award ceremony held at Meriting Events in Vanderbijlpark, scores of police officers, dressed in their finest attire, gathered to receive their awards. Several high-profile police officials attended the event, including the Free State's provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, and the District Commissioner, Major General Moses Makubo, among many other stakeholders. Delivering a keynote address, Motswenyane applauded the recipients of the awards and motivated them to do more for the organisation. 'Your contribution in crime-fighting matters. Just do an introspection and check if you are good enough for this organisation. You must continue making the SAPS in Free State proud,' she said. Motswenyane emphasised the importance of being dedicated even when not recognised through winning awards. 'If you feel like you are good at your job and not getting the necessary recognition, don't ever be demoralised. Rather, give yourself a pat on the shoulder and continue being motivated. Stay focused on what you are called for,' she added. Motswenyane applauded the district for its impact in the fight against crime and emphasised the importance of policing in partnership with communities, particularly in the fight against gender-based violence. Sharing the purpose of the day, Makubo acknowledged and celebrated outstanding performance within the district, which has seen a decline in different serious crimes. 'We have seen a drastic reduction of serious crime in our district, especially those I found prevalent when I assumed the position of being a commissioner, like kidnappings, carjackings, vehicle theft, among many others. This proves that women and men are working hard, and we want to thank them for supporting our vision,' he said. Makubo thanked stakeholders who help in crime fighting, such as the Community Policing Forum, and the South Africa Free State Fujian Overseas Chinese Association, who donate immensely in making sure that crime is a thing of the past. The highlight of the day was the Bravery Award presented to Constable M. Mhlambi, along with a laptop sponsored by Jimmy Shi of the Chinese Association. Awards were presented in various categories, including Administration, Vispol and Operations, Specialised Units, and Station of the Year, which was awarded to Tumahole SAPS. Confiscated gun and ammunition following a raid in Amelia. Free State provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane and the District Commissioner, Major General Moses Makubo, following the keynote address.
