Controversy as AGU detective wins award while serving community service sentence
Cape Town - The decorated Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) police officer who accidentally shot his colleague, David Hoffman in 2019 at a braai, has been awarded along with his colleagues as Detective Team of the Year during the SAPS Provincial Excellence Awards for 2023/24.
This, while he faces a two-year community service sentence for the shooting.
Appollis was among the series of officers who were acknowledged during the awards held at Century City Conference Centre on January 18.
Police spokesperson, André Traut, said the awards were to recognise outstanding dedication, service, and excellence across various categories within the SAPS.
In the division of Detective Team of the Year: AGU - Lieutenant T Colonel CDD van Renen, Sgt CF Fortuin, Sgt MJ Appollis, and Sgt CE Conradie were recognised.
A whistle-blower who learnt of Appollis’s award said they were not happy with the outcome of the sentencing and the fact that he was being praised.
Last year, Hoffman’s widow, Ashley Hoffman, took to social media calling for the delay in sentencing to be sped-up.
Sentencing was then scheduled for October 2024 and Appollis received two years of community service.
On Tuesday, Ashley told the Cape Argus that she had to focus on her family and well-being.
“I have not seen the awards but I have decided to try and move on,” she said in response.
“Mentally this isn't good for me or my family. I have no comments.
“He received two years of community service.”
Zona Morton, whistle-blower and crime activist, said she felt too much leniency was given by police management and the National Prosecuting Authority during criminal cases involving police.
“How many people have died at the hands of SAPS or raped at the hands of SAPS and then the bare minimum sentence if any is given,” she said.
“This gives SAPS members an aura of impunity and being untouchable.
“Sergeant Appollis was found guilty and given community service but still carries a firearm and was given an Award for Excellence.
“Another Captain was found guilty of four counts of Assault GBH and slapped with a fine and eight days later he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
“Is this justice under our democracy where we are all equal under the law?”
Appollis and his team made headlines following their team’s success in the Henry van Breda murder trial, in which they proved there was no forced entry into the house on the night of the attack.
Van Breda murdered his family with an axe in 2015 at a gated housing estate in Stellenbosch.
Hoffman was a sergeant in the police’s AGU and Appollis was convicted of culpable homicide for the shooting that occurred on August 17, 2019, in Franschhoek.
Police have to respond to a query regarding his term of community service.