KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna Police Station, under the guidance of Colonel Francois de Wet, has achieved a true feat. 

In a first for the station, it was named the Best Station in the Western Cape in the Colonel Station category at the South African Police Services (Saps) Provincial Excellence Awards in Cape Town on Saturday 11 November. 

In the past, the Knysna CPF has received awards both provincially and nationally, but the police station itself has never been awarded.

The excellence awards event is held annually to recognise and acknowledge the men and women in the service, including support staff, reservists and community policing forums (CPF), that showcased extraordinary excellence and commitment to their daily duties and even beyond.

A just reward

It was a welcome surprise when Knysna was announced as the provincial* winner of the Colonel Station category. For Knysna Station Commander Colonel Francois de Wet and his force, it is a just reward after the two-and-a-half years of hard work to turn the station around since he took over command in March 2020. 

"We've come a long way, from what it was, to what it is," De Wet said. "We're humbled and blessed to know that what we've been working on has made a difference."

He also acknowledged that while they have come a long way already, and much progress has been made, there is still work to be done. "We'll continue to work on the things that we know aren't what they should be; there's still a lot of hard work to do. This is just a confirmation that we're on the right track."

Making a difference

Asked about his secret for achieving the turnaround, De Wet had a short but impactful answer. "Know your shortcomings and own them. Then change them to what they should be. Think it, speak it, and do it."

De Wet said he knew the moment when the station and his personnel turned a corner and the standards improved. "I believe things changed for the better when members saw the environment changing as well. Taking ownership of their space, and for members to believe in themselves that we can actually turn things around," he said.

De Wet also highlighted three main factors about the station itself that have contributed to their improved success. 

"When I arrived, the security at the station wasn't up to scratch, which we have since improved. We have cleaned up the CSC [community service centre] and also with the help of the CPF we repainted the outside of the station. So there's a lot of things that have been done."

Working with other role players

De Wet expressed his thanks to all the external stakeholders (CPF, private security, municipal law enforcement) for working together to keep the town safe, and urged them to continue to work this way. "We need to focus on the integrated approach, and we need to keep each other accountable. It's not about 'us and them', it's only 'us'," he said.

He also had a word for members of the public.

"The community must know and understand that we are here to serve and protect them, but they must also take the opportunity to work with us." De Wet may have already achieved a lot during his short time as commander of the Knysna Police Station, but he is first to acknowledge that there is still much to do, and that they will continue to work at improving on their service delivery. 

"For example, we are continuing to fight to get the service to make Sedgefield a fully fledged station, and to build a satellite station elsewhere in Knysna. So we will continue to work hard."

Knysna CPF chairperson Cheryl Britz congratulated De Wet and his station on their achievement.

 "From the CPF and the neighbourhood watch structures, I would like to say congratulations to Colonel De Wet, his management and all the members, for their achievement," she said. "His open-door policy is key to the success, as well as his proactive approach, and again, for us as the CPF, it's always about partnerships and communication. And those channels are always open."

The winners at the awards evening.

Other Southern Cape awards

It was not only Knysna that fared well at the awards in Cape Town, as the Southern Cape was heavily commended during the ceremony.

George Police Station was named the Best Station in the Western Cape in the level 13 Brigadier category. Albertinia Police received well-deserved recognition for its steadfast commitment to serving the community, receiving the esteemed Rural Station of the Year award.

Ladismith's Vispol team was the Vispol Team of the Year and Riversdale proudly claimed the title of Reservist of the Year, while admin clerk Nogcina Khohliwe of Da Gamaskop was named the Western Cape South African Police Service Woman of the Year. The Garden Route Flying Squad also celebrated a momentous win, securing the coveted the Catch of the Year award, which you can read about online at www.knysnaplettherald.com.

Provincial in this context meaning outside of the Cape metropole, so it applies only to the 'rural' areas of the Western Cape.

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