A police officer who single-handedly confronted an armed suspect during a domestic violence incident and saved the lives of a woman, her child and fellow officers has been named the overall winner at the South African Police Service’s 11th National Excellence Awards.
Sergeant Masibulele Qinisile (41), a visible policing member based at Cacadu police station in the Chris Hani District in the Eastern Cape, was crowned the Laureate Award winner and also received the National Commissioner’s Award at a ceremony held in Bloemfontein on Monday night. He walked away with a brand new vehicle, becoming a first-time car owner.
Qinisile was recognised for his actions during a high-risk domestic violence call-out in which a suspect held his wife and child hostage while armed with a firearm. During the confrontation, one of the police officers responding to the scene was disarmed, and the suspect opened fire on the police. Qinisile engaged the suspect alone, an intervention that ultimately saved the lives of the victims and his colleagues.
More than 350 SAPS members and teams from across the country were honoured at the awards, held under the theme “Serving with integrity, celebrating excellence”. The annual event recognises exceptional bravery, commitment and performance by police officers and civilian staff during the 2024/2025 financial year.
National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola said the awards highlighted a form of excellence that often goes unseen. He told attendees that the work being recognised takes place in difficult conditions, from crime scenes in the early hours of the morning to courtrooms, forensic laboratories and high-risk community environments.
Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia congratulated the winners and nominees, saying the awards reflected consistent conduct rather than isolated acts of heroism. He urged officers to uphold standards that build public trust and strengthen partnerships between communities and the police.
Among other recipients were Brigadier Hanana and his Western Cape-based team, who received a National Commissioner’s Award for investigations that led to the conviction of Kelly Smith and two co-accused to life imprisonment for trafficking in persons and kidnapping linked to the disappearance of Joshlin Smith. SAPS said investigations into the child’s disappearance are continuing.
Additional awards went to Sergeant NR Bokolo of the Eastern Cape’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit, named Investigator of the Year; Handyman LD Mulaudzi of Brakpan police station, awarded Administrative Employee of the Year; and SAPS Umkomaas in KwaZulu-Natal, named Station of the Year after reducing complaints against police by 50%.
Colonel N Ndzotyana, who led Operation Vala Umgodi in the Free State, was named Operations Member of the Year.
SAPS said the awards reinforced its commitment to ethical conduct, discipline and professional policing, while recognising officers whose work has contributed to safer communities nationwide.
