The room was the usual calm and tense environment as Deputy Provincial Commissioners and District Commissioner converged at the SAPS Academy Chatsworth to account for crime and how they plan to Improve their performance.
Last Thursday morning, the stage was set for robust deliberations, but the Acting Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, Major General Phumelele Makoba caught everybody by surprise when she introduced the first ever Performance Improvement Appreciation segment in which she handed over tokens of appreciation to District Commissioners whose districts improved the crime picture on individual crimes within the 17 Community Reported Crimes in the 1st Quarter of 2026/2027 financial year.
Harry Gwala and Ugu districts received bronze certificates for their efforts in fighting crime in the province. Both districts reduced crime in seven individual crimes and stabilised one individual crime. The silver award is for districts which reduced crime on eight to ten individual crimes, and the silver went to eThekwini District, iLembe District and King Cetshwayo who reduced 10 individual crimes. Umgungundlovu District reduced crime on nine individual crimes whilst Uthukela and Umkhanyakude reduced crime on eight individual crimes each, with Uthukela stabilising one crime in the process.
The gold status went to Umzinyathi and Zululand districts which reduced crime on 11 and 12 individual crimes respectively. Harry Gwala, UMkhanyakude and Umgungundlovu districts also received special recognition certificates for their efforts in improving performance on crime dependent on police action.
In her remarks the Acting Provincial Commissioner said that the provincial management saw it fit to reward good work and recognise improved performance.
“We are all wearing this uniform because we want to serve and protect our communities. Whilst there is a lot that needs to be done, we need to applaud good work and celebrate our gains,” said Major General Makoba. Her remarks were echoed by Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Corporate Support Major General (Dr) Siyanda Ngcobo who said that the certificates are just a starting point.
“We did not want to start big and fail to sustain. We are hopeful that continued improvement in performance will be rewarded with monetary awards in the near future,” said Maj Gen Ngcobo.
The District Commissioner of Uthukela, Major General Thulani Gonya responded on behalf of District Commissioners and appreciated the gesture.
“General, you referred to what you have just done to us as a small token of appreciation, let me assure you that this is massive. I took a picture of the certificate and put in on the group and my phone is buzzing. The members on the ground are happy, they appreciate the recognition and acknowledgement. We all know that a happy workforce is a productive one. This was unexpected and we thank you for paying attention to the little improvement that we make on the provincial crime picture,” Major General Gonya said.
The awards segment did not absolve District Commissioners from accounting on the crimes that continue to terrorise community which they police. The quarterly Provincial Management Forum (PMF) is a session in which nothing is left unturned in a quest to tame criminals and create a safe KwaZulu-Natal.