Update

STILL BAY NEWS - Two local members of the police force, Sgt James Spangenberg (Langeberg K9-unit) and Cst Christiaan Zwiegelaar (Still Bay Police) were awarded top commendations for their selfless service within the community.

Spangenberg and Zwiegelaar were redeployed during the period 2017/2018, to serve within the Hessequa vicinity in Project Sunshine. This project saw numerous successes, which led to more than 121 drug related arrests and various convictions handed down by the respective magistrate's courts. 

The project also saw Spangenberg and Zwiegelaar receiving the acclaimed Prestige Award 2017/2018 from the then Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, General Elvis Jula and both also received a commendation from the National Commissioner with a monetary reward.

The current accolade which the members came into consideration for, was for a high speed chase where three lives were saved, three bullets were fired and one suspect was arrested.

According to Spangenberg, the incident which took place in January 2018 could have turned out differently. "If it weren't for Zwiegelaar's skillful driving and calm presence, the situation could have resulted in a fatality." Zwiegelaar received the National Commissioner's commendation of merit for his contribution in effecting the arrest and Spangenberg the Ministerial Commendation. Both members also received monetary bonuses for their efforts.

Retired Cluster Commander of Da Gamaskop, Brig Gerhard Jantjies under whom these members served at the time, applauded the members for their selfless efforts and said that "the course of crime would have a downwards spiral if the police only had 20 of Spangenberg's and Zwiegelaar's calibre".

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