Man of the Year cop giving Delft youth a second chance

WHILE many see crime as a losing battle, a dedicated SAPS officer in Delft is quietly changing lives through prevention work that has now earned him Man of the Year recognition.

Constable Mzukiseni Manyebese was awarded the Man of the Year title at the National SAPS Excellence Awards on Monday for his efforts to strengthen community safety and uplift young people.

Speaking to the Daily Voice, Manyebese said he has been working in uniform for nine years. He previously served as a crime prevention officer before taking up his current role as a Social Crime Prevention Coordinator.

After stepping into the role in 2023, Manyebese began various spiritual and community-based crime prevention programmes aimed at addressing crime at grassroots level.

The initiatives focus on empowering young leaders, creating safer learning environments and building partnerships that promote crime prevention and community cohesion.

Manyebese said his experience on the ground showed him that policing cannot succeed without community involvement.

He said: “We cannot win crime without involving the community. When you speak to people on the ground, they can tell you exactly where the problems are.”

He added that poverty, substance abuse and a lack of access to information remain major challenges in Delft.

Manyebese said: “A lot of people don’t have access to information, so we work with organisations, service providers and the CPF to make sure communities are supported.”

One of the programmes making a visible impact is the Junior Commissioner Project, in which learners from local schools are selected to promote safety and discipline among their peers.

He said the initiative allows learners to voice their views and encourage their peers, while also helping them develop leadership abilities and self-confidence.

Manyebese has also introduced a database of young men between the ages of 16 and 40 who have shown a willingness to turn their lives around, including those battling substance abuse and individuals recently released from prison.

Manyebese said his passion has always been to be a crime fighter and positive role model, adding that protecting young boys from school violence and substance abuse is the most fulfilling part of his job.

The officer said the award motivates him to continue serving the community and the South African Police Service with dedication.