Detective Sergeant Nghezimani Shadrack Mabunda scooped the prestigious Man of the Year award.
Malamulele based Detective Sergeant Nghezimani Shadrack Mabunda scooped the prestigious Man of the Year award during the recently held South African Police Services award ceremony at Durban International Convention Centre, KwaZulu-Natal.
Detective Sergeant Mabunda, a dedicated member of the Trio Crimes Unit in Malamulele has resolved numerous complex cases, including tracking and recovery of stolen vehicles and apprehending suspects in the process.
His work extends beyond policing, as he frequently collaborates with other provinces and is deeply involved in social initiatives. He actively engages with the youth through sports and community events, working to reduce gangsterism and promote positive role models.
His outstanding contributions in the fight against crime have been recognized throughout his career. For example, during his time at Marikana, he was involved in a shootout with five suspects who had committed a robbery, successfully neutralizing one suspect and recovering four firearms without harm. While at Malamulele Police Station, he received numerous certificates of appreciation from the station, district, provincial, and national levels for his exemplary service. Notable achievements include:
*2016: Awarded Best Operational Member of the Year at the Provincial Excellence Award Ceremony.
*2017: Led his group to second place at the National Excellence Awards in the category of Best Flying Squad of the Year.
*2023/2024: Crowned Mr. Vhembe District and awarded Best Man of the Year at the District Excellence Awards. He also won the Best Sportsman of the Year and received second place as Best Detective of the Year.
Detective Sergeant Mabunda’s discipline, dedication, and passion reflect the highest standards of excellence in service.
The 46-year-old Detective Sergeant Mabunda is married with three children. He joined the South African Police Service in 2006, initially recruited by the Krugersdorp Area, before transferring to Tlhabane Police Station in Rustenburg. His service continued at the Marikana SAPS until early 2010. After the passing of his mother, Detective Sergeant Mabunda became the primary caretaker for his siblings.
He was then faced with both personal and professional challenges, leading him to ultimately approach his Station Commander to seek a transfer to Limpopo province, where he was successfully reassigned to the Malamulele SAPS in 2010. Despite these hardships, Detective Sergeant Mabunda has remained loyal, dedicated, and continues to be a role model to his family and the community.
Detective Sergeant Mabunda’s educational journey began at Munghonghoma Primary School and continued at Khomani Mbhalati High School in Giyani police area. He initially enrolled at Technikon SA in 1998 to study Purchasing management but had to leave due to financial constraints. In 2021, Detective Sergeant Mabunda returned to further his education in Policing and enrolled at STADIO. He successfully completed his degree in December 2024.
Lieutenant General Hadebe has commended Detective Sergeant Mabunda following his triumphs at the SAPS National Excellence Awards. “This prestigious award is a testament to Detective Sergeant Mabunda’s outstanding dedication, hard work, and commitment to serving and protecting our communities. Detective Sergeant Mabunda is an exemplary police official who embodies the values of our police service, and his achievement is a source of pride for all of us,” said Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, expresses immense pride after members featured during the National Excellence Awards ceremony.
Limpopo province was well represented across various categories, with nominees ranging from Operations team of the year, Senior Operational Manager: Crime Detection, Senior Operational Manager : Policing, Senior Administration Manager, Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences team of the year, Crime Intelligence team of the year, Police Station of the Year and Reservist of the year amongst others.
Detective Sergeant Nghezimani Shadrack Mabunda receiving a certificate and trophy.