By Brigadier Athlenda Mathe
SAPS Spokesperson
Bloemfontein, 27 January 2026; Under the theme “Serving with integrity, celebrating excellence”, the South African Police Service (SAPS) awarded more than 350 top performers for going above and beyond the call of duty during its 11th edition National Excellence Awards hosted in Bloemfontein, Free State province.
One of the award winners is 41-year-old Sergeant Masibulele Qinisile, a visible policing member attached to Cacadu police station in the Chris Hani District, Eastern Cape.
Qinisile was crowned as this year’s Laureate Award Winner as well as a National Commissioner’s Award recipient and walked away with a brand new vehicle, making him a first time car owner.
He attended a complaint where the perpetrator held his family hostage including his wife and child with a firearm. One of his crew members got disarmed during a confrontation with the suspect who started shooting at the members.
Qinisile showed courage under fire and engaged the suspect single-handedly which led him to save the lives of the suspect’s wife, their child, and his crew.
Every year in January, the SAPS gathers to celebrate outstanding performance, exceptional commitment and bravery displayed by its men and women in blue.
This prestigious event serves as a powerful reminder that behind every accolade is a story of sacrifice, resilience and service being a police officer is not merely a profession, but a calling.
There are over 40 award categories which include the Ministry’s Award, National Commissioner’s Award, Operations Member of the Year, Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Investigator of the Year, Crime Intelligence Member of the Year, Station of the Year, Forensic Services Team of the Year, and Community Policing Forum (CPF).
Also amongst the award recipients are members whose tireless investigations have resulted in serial rapists and murderers being brought to justice, significantly contributing to safer communities.
The Acting Minister of Police, Mr Firoz Cachalia, together with Deputy Ministers Dr Polly Boshielo and Mr Cassel Mathale, and the National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, were joined by senior SAPS leadership and distinguished guests in commemorating service excellence.
While welcoming all guests at the awards ceremony, General Masemola also expressed his sense of pride and said these awards are the kind of excellence that few speak about, yet millions depend on, excellence that unfolds in the dead of night, in courtrooms, forensic laboratories, and on the streets of our communities.
During his key note address Minister Cachalia congratulated all winners and nominees and said: “Each award presented this evening recognises not just a moment of bravery or exceptional service, but a pattern of behaviour that reflects the highest standards of policing. Carry that standard forward. Let your conduct be the example that transforms doubt into confidence, fear into safety, and alienation into partnership.”
*Here are some of the award recipients who excelled during the 2024/2025 financial year:*
▶️ Brigadier Hanana and his team from the Western Cape were also bestowed with a National Commissioner’s Award for their relentless investigative work which led to the conviction of Joshlin Smith’s mother, Kelly Smith, and her two co-accused to life in prison for trafficking in persons and kidnapping, without a body being found. Investigation into Joshlin’s disappearance remains ongoing.
▶️ Sgt NR Bokolo of Eastern Cape Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (EC) was awarded Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Investigator of the Year level 5-7
▶️ Handyman LD Mulaudzi who is attached to Brakpan police station in Gauteng was awarded Admin Employee of the Year
▶️ Station of the Year was awarded to SAPS Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal. Under the leadership of Colonel MI Mngadi (now retired), the station reduced complaints against the police by 50 percent
▶️ Colonel N Ndzotyana who led Operation Vala Umgodi in the Free State province was awarded Operations Member of the Year
The National Excellence Awards reinforce the SAPS’ unwavering commitment to ethical conduct, discipline and high standards of policing, while celebrating its men and women in blue who embody the values of the organisation.
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