Limpopo's annual South African Police Service (SAPS) Excellence Awards ceremony again proved to be a glittering occasion, with provincial cabinet and legislature members, as well as mayors and business leaders from all parts of the province among the invited guests.

In addition to several magnificent trophies, winning officials and police units received sponsored cheque prizes valued at amounts between R10 000 and R40 000, in recognition of their hard work and top achievements.

The province's police band and a top jazz band provided the entertainment at the sponsored gala event, which was held at the Meropa Entertainment Centre just outside Polokwane.

The Haenertsburg Police Station, in the Magoebaskloof area, was honoured as the best small SAPS community centre, because of its very user-friendly service delivery, while the Polokwane Police Station was rated the best large venue, because of its allround range of services to the public.

The minor placings in this service delivery category went to the Matlala, Saselamani, Seshego and Lephalale police stations.

The top overall individual award went to Insp GF Wessels, with Insp J Malatji voted the province's most outstanding detective. Supt C Rheeder was honoured for her skills as Limpopo's top hostage negotiator.

The Politsi Dog Unit, which functions in the Tzaneen area, earned top honours, while the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in Polokwane was ackowledged as the best in its category.

However, in the "Best Special Units" category the Modimolle (Waterberg) teams handling criminal records, stock and vehicle theft, and serious and violent crimes, scooped all the awards.