By OBAKENG MAJE
3 October 2026 – The police in the John Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) District celebrated outstanding performance and dedication during its 2026 District Excellence Awards held at Kalahari High School in Kuruman on Friday. The awards recognised the achievements and commitment of SAPS employees and members of the District and Station Community Policing Forums (CPFs).
The Acting District Commissioner for JTG, Brigadier Kenneth Baloyi, was joined by the executive mayor of the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, Queen Mogatle and Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, who also serves as the acting Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing and Corporate Services.
The event was attended by senior SAPS officers, district commissioners, provincial heads, representatives of SAPU and POPCRU, CPF representatives and various sponsors.
Baloyi said the awards were important in recognising employees and community partners who demonstrate dedication, professionalism and commitment in carrying out their responsibilities and contributing to safer communities.
Mogatle welcomed the guests and award recipients and acknowledged the sacrifices and dedication of SAPS members who continue to serve communities under challenging circumstances.
Messages of support were also delivered by representatives of sponsors, the CPF and organised labour, highlighting the importance of collaboration and collective responsibility in strengthening policing and community safety.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, congratulated the nominees and award recipients.
Ngubelanga said the awards were not merely about recognising achievements, but about acknowledging members who have made excellence a standard of their service.
“The Excellence Awards are not merely about presenting accolades. They are about acknowledging members who have made excellence a standard of their service,” said Ngubelanga.
He further emphasised the importance of the SAPS Reset Agenda, which places renewed focus on restoring discipline, strengthening operational integrity, promoting accountability and upholding professional standards. Ngubelanga encouraged SAPS members to remain committed to ethical conduct, teamwork, service excellence and the continuous improvement of policing services.
Employees and CPF representatives competed across 21 award categories and received trophies, certificates and gifts sponsored by various partners.
The SAPS Provincial Band provided musical entertainment during the event, contributing to the celebratory atmosphere.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Kuruman SAPS Support Head, Colonel Pinky Samolapo, who expressed appreciation to the leadership, guests, sponsors, organisers, nominees and award recipients.
The 2026 JTG District Excellence Awards reaffirmed the importance of recognising outstanding performance, strengthening partnerships and encouraging SAPS employees to uphold discipline, professionalism, accountability and service excellence in pursuit of safer communities across the Northern Cape.
