Traffic Officer Boy Makutu honoured as Safety and Security Officer of the Year

This past week, the Safety and Security Directorate hosted its annual awards ceremony, celebrating the indomitable spirit and dedication of staff and volunteers. Among the standout recipients was Traffic Officer Boy Makutu, who was recognised as the Safety and Security Officer of the Year after a year marked by significant achievements and viral moments of courage on the job.

Between November 2024 and September of this year, Makutu made an impressive 29 arrests, showcasing not only his commitment to public safety but also his ability to handle incredibly challenging situations with poise. His reputation soared after two particular incidents garnered significant public attention.

In September, he handled a dangerous situation with a belligerent drunk driver on the N1 near Durban Road, where his calm demeanour remained a critical asset. Earlier, in July, he became a social media sensation when footage of him hanging onto a taxi in an attempt to apprehend a reckless driver went viral. Both incidents exemplified his fearlessness and unyielding commitment to law enforcement.

“Officer Makutu embodies the very essence of Safety and Security. He serves with dedication and humility, and while he is very soft-spoken, his service record shows that he is a force to be reckoned with,” remarked Alderman JP Smith, the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security. “I commend him and every other member and volunteer acknowledged at our awards events in the past week.”

The award ceremony featured a range of categories, celebrating various achievements within the Directorate. Other notable honourees included Ashwin Maxim from the Disaster Risk Management Centre, Kim Van Zyl of Fire and Rescue Services, and Rene Mostert from the Public Emergency Communication Centre. Meanwhile, the prestigious Department of the Year award was awarded to the Metro Police.

The celebrations continued with the Law Enforcement Auxiliary Awards on Saturday, 20 December, recognising extraordinary service across categories such as outstanding service and performance excellence. Grant Adams received accolades for clocking an astonishing 765 hours of service this year, while Gerhard Engelbrecht was named Volunteer Officer of the Year for his remarkable dedication, logging 4,310 hours over a 70-month period – averaging 61 hours of service each month.

These ceremonies reflect not only the accomplishments of individual officers but also underscore the unwavering commitment of all personnel within the Directorate to serve their communities, often at great personal cost. The collective efforts of these men and women reaffirm the vital role they play in ensuring safety and security across the region.