On 14 November the annual Security Industry Alliance (SIA) awards ceremony was held at The Wanderers Club. Three ADT Reaction Officers and an ADT Kusela site supervisor were among the security staff who received a Prevention of Crime Award for going beyond the call of duty to combat crime. The awards went to reaction officers Silas Ramadiba, Richard Zindela and William Themane. The ADT Kusela award recipient was Bafana Zimu.
For most South Africans the thought of arriving at a premises knowing that there are criminals at work within its doors, is a very daunting one but for these reaction officers it is part of a day’s work and they do not hesitate when called to duty. Here is why these officers received their awards…
Reaction oOfficer William Themane
At around 04:50 on 4 September, ADT received a call from a panic-stricken client saying that she thought a friend in Linden was attempting to commit suicide. ADT reaction officer William Themane was dispatched to the scene.
Upon arrival, Themane reported that there were spikes on the wall and an electric fence. There was also no intercom. Thinking quickly, he managed to climb over the wall and gain access. On arrival at the cottage, where the woman was reported to be living, he found the front door wide open. He entered the premises and found the 35-year-old woman lying unconscious in her bed. After performing basic first aid steps including checking for a pulse, officer Themane found that she was still breathing and immediately requested medical assistance. When the paramedic team arrived, they treated the woman on site before taking her to the Helen Joseph Hospital for further treatment.
Reaction officer Silas Ramadiba
On 12 September at around 08:00, ADT received a call from a resident in Wildepruim Road, Esther Park, who suspected there were armed intruders in his neighbour’s property. ADT reaction officer Silas Ramadiba arrived on the scene and found two SAPS officers at the premises. The SAPS officers were investigating the neighbour who was allegedly involved in criminal activities. The ADT officer provided back-up for the SAPS.
Ramadiba entered the premises and noticed that there were foot marks on the wall next to a trap door in the ceiling. Ramadiba climbed into the roof through the trap door and found the suspect hiding in the ceiling. The suspect fled and climbed through another trap door leading into a bathroom. He was apprehended by the ADT and the SAPS.
Reaction officer Richard Zindela
On 8 October, Seventeenth Street in Parkhurst was the scene of a dramatic hostage situation which ended in a suicide. A client phoned in at around 12:30 to say that someone was shooting in the neighbourhood.
The owner, whose 80-year-old mother was inside the house, told ADT senior reaction officer Richard Zindela that the tenant in the house has started shooting and he feared for his mother’s life. Zindela bravely decided to move in. He was shot at several times, but managed to get into the house where he found the gunman had killed himself. Zindela then went into the main bedroom and found the owner’s mother, fortunately unharmed.
Kusela site supervisor Bafana Zimu
Bafana Zimu has shown the dedication and commitment required to proactively assist in the prevention of crime. He is deployed at a shopping centre in Springs and over the last year has single-handedly arrested 42 suspects for crimes including shoplifting, theft and fraud. He has assisted in recovering stolen goods to the value of R85 000. Zimu is extremely dedicated and his skilful observations have allowed him to identify potential criminals before they act.
“We are very proud of the persistence, professionalism and bravery shown by these officers,” says Roy Rawlins, managing director, ADT Central Region. “They are deserving of these awards and the recognition they have received from the security industry. Every day our officers put their lives on the line protecting our clients. It is awards like these that recognise their contribution to the ongoing fight against criminals in Johannesburg. These officers are shining examples of the calibre of ADT officers and we commend them on their loyalty and commitment to our clients and to ADT.”
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