The bravest of the brave have been lauded in the City at an annual awards ceremony this week. These honours were bestowed on City staff members who have gone above and beyond in the line of duty. But there was also a four-legged staffer who had a stellar year recovering narcotics, and that was the Metro Police K9, called Virus.
The City’s Safety and Security Directorate celebrated staff at its annual awards ceremony on Thursday, 15 October.
The bravest of the brave have been lauded in the City
According to the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, categories included bravery, outstanding service, supervisor of the year and department officer of the year. He said that for the first time, new award categories were included to acknowledge staff who are championing the use of technology in the Directorate.
“Achievements have become part and parcel of what we do, and so it really is critical to stop and smell the proverbial roses and just take stock of what Safety and Security has grown to be and will continue to grow into, thanks to the dedication and commitment of the staff members.”
READ MORE: All the winners
Safety and Security staff lauded for outstanding service
Smith added, “Two staff members received awards for bravery. They are Law Enforcement officer Marco Africa, and Fire and Rescue Service platoon commander Morne Moolman.” Moolman is based at the Goodwood Fire Station. He demonstrated exceptional courage and selflessness on 1 December 2025, when he rushed to the aid of a fellow firefighter who collapsed in a puddle of water after sustaining an electrical shock.
“We have outpaced all municipalities across the country in terms of our enforcement and emergency response capabilities, our investment in film and events and of course our continued use and growth of technology.”
“On 7 April 2026, Africa, who is a member of the Marine Environmental Law Enforcement Unit, swam 50 metres off the coast of Monwabisi to recover a man who had been swept out by a rip current, ” Smith said.
Top dog: Metro Police Department Officer of the Year
At the same time, Metro Police K9, Virus and his handler, Inspector Keagan Van Wyk also received the nod for Metro Police Department Officer of the Year for their heroics in the fight against illicit substances.
There have been many successes this year, including:
A R2,7 million drug bust from a vehicle parked at Parksig Villas in Bellville on 14 May 2026.
The recovery of tik and cocaine with a street value of more than R300 000 at a storage facility in Bellville on 15 August 2026.
The recovery of tik and cocaine with a street value of more than R300 000 at a storage facility in Bellville on 15 August 2026.
Other departmental Officer of the Year recipients included:
Angelino Hare – Traffic Services
Andre Jansen – Law Enforcement
Chantel Allard – PECC
Owen Muller – Fire & Rescue Service
Morne Strydom – Disaster Risk Management Centre
Sean Naidoo – Emergency Policing Incident Command (EPIC)
“Our Directorate has much to be proud of, as is once again evident from the tales of heroism and exceptional service among our many nominees and recipients this year.”
