Off-duty hero: police officer Naidoo receives National Excellence Award
Outstanding performance
Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi with Warrant Officer Donavan Naidoo.
Image: Facebook/SAPS
WARRANT Officer Donavan Naidoo of the National Intervention Unit has been named Operations Member of the Year at the SAPS Excellence Awards after responding to a serious crime while off-duty with his six-year-old daughter.
Despite being shot during a confrontation with dangerous suspects, Naidoo's bravery led to two fatalities and one arrest, with multiple weapons recovered.
Naidoo, who is a member of the National Intervention Unit, was honoured at the National SAPS Excellence Awards 2026 on Monday, which recognised and honoured outstanding performance, exceptional commitment to community relations, innovation, professionalism and acts of bravery within the SAPS.
The SAPS said the recognition followed Naidoo’s reaction to a call of serious crime while off duty and taking care of his then six-year-old daughter.
In a statement on social media, they said his call to fight crime triumphed over the needs of his own child.
“Whilst off duty he planned and executed a successful operation within an hour of receiving a tip off and produced astonishing results. He initiated the operation to approach the extremely dangerous suspects who were driving in a hijacked vehicle. His courage propelled him to exchange fire with CIT (cash-in-transit) suspects where he was shot and injured but never retreated nor surrendered in pursuit of excellence.
“He fatally wounded two of them and arrested another one where two pistols were recovered, and later an M4 assault rifle was also recovered which later emerged that the rifle was taken from a CIT robbery where a guard was fatally wounded,” it read.
The SAPS said Naidoo established a well-informed informant network, and through his own initiative and dedication in combating crime, assisted in the attempt to arrest high profile perpetrators.
“His innovation saw him collaborating with private individuals who assisted him with the latest technology and equipment to track and trace suspects swiftly.”
Naidoo, who has been a member of the SAPS for the past 18 years, said receiving the award was an overwhelming experience.
“I have received several awards, but in respect of this one, I really appreciate the SAPS for recognising my hard work, dedication and passion.”