Police get medals for best service

The event was aimed at rewarding the police officers who have stood out the test of time and continued to serve the communities while also protecting them.

Addressing the police cluster commander brigadier Jeshop Shabangu said despite the challenges faced by the police when on duty including risking their lives to ensure the protection of the nation against criminals, the medal recipients of the day did not quit from fighting against crime.

“You have been working with love and dedication to make our communities feel safe at all times,” said Shabangu.

He encouraged the medal recipients to keep their medals safe at all times.

“We only wear our medals during special occasions, you need to protect them and wear them with pride when the time comes,” he said.

Shabangu emphasised that he does not encourage suicide and that the police need to understand that the firearms given to them are for the protection of the nation and for ending lives.

One of the medal recipients on 30 years service category, W/O Malisela

Daniel Lekalakala from KwaThema police station said getting a medal encourages him to do his job with more pride and continue showing respect to the community.

He said despite his love for the job, police are faced with many challenges.
Lekalakala explained that sometimes the attitude that they get from the community members discourage them to do their work properly.

“Others refuse and fight us when we are arresting them for the crime that they have committed while others threaten us,” he said.

However, he vowed to continue doing a good job of striving for the safety of all in our communities.

Sergeant Aubrey Maqatela from Duduza police station received a medal on 10 years of service category while Captain Johannes Ramphora from the Springs police station got a medal on the category of 20 years of service.