SAPS CONGRATULATES CRIME STOP PIONEER HONOURED WITH PRESTIGOUS WHISTLEBLOWER AWARD FOR PROMOTING ANONYMOUS CRIME REPORTING

Public Interest South Africa’s 2026 Whistleblower Awards photos supplied

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, congratulates 59-year-old Brigadier Adriaan Jacobus “Attie” Lamprecht who received the Whistleblower Sherpa Support Award at Public Interest South Africa’s 2026 Whistleblower Awards, held under the theme “Honouring Courage. Inspiring Integrity.”

At this evening’s awards ceremony, Brigadier Lamprecht and nominees from various sectors were recognised for their courage, integrity and exceptional contributions to the people of South Africa.

With 42 years of service in the SAPS, Brigadier Lamprecht currently oversees several sections at national level, including Crime Stop, Harmful and Occult Crimes, and the Bureau for Missing Persons, which he established in 1994.

For more than 30 years, Brigadier Lamprecht has headed the internationally recognised Crime Stop Call Centre (08600 10111), which enables members of the public to anonymously report information about criminal activities.

Crime Stoppers International has previously recognised South Africa for its exceptional handling of anonymous tip-offs from members of the public.

Since its establishment 34 years ago, Crime Stop has maintained a record of protecting the identities of informants who provide information through the platform.

Over the years, information received through these tip-offs has contributed to thousands of arrests and the seizure of illicit goods and other criminal assets worth hundreds of millions of rands.

Brigadier Lamprecht also serves as a director of Crime Stoppers International, a global organisation dedicated to strengthening anonymous crime reporting systems and supporting crime prevention initiatives.

Brigadier Lamprecht, who holds a PhD degree in Sociology, also managed the Witness Protection Programme while it was under the administration of the SAPS, further demonstrating his longstanding commitment to protecting those who assist law enforcement authorities in the fight against crime.

General Masemola commended Brigadier Lamprecht for his decades of dedicated service and his contribution to strengthening public confidence in anonymous crime reporting platforms.

“Brigadier Lamprecht’s award is a testament to his unwavering commitment to protecting those who come forward with information to help fight crime.

His work demonstrates the importance of safeguarding the identities of informants and ensuring that members of the public can contribute to the fight against crime without fear.

The SAPS congratulates him on this well deserved honour,” said General Masemola.