Thirty-five members of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) were decorated with loyal service and the 2010 Soccer World Cup Support Medals at a medal parade in Kempton on Friday, March 1.
The 35 are the first of 1100 recipients of the honorary decorations for dedicating their lives to serve, protect and enforce the law.
According to Themba Gadebe, metro spokesperson, their service medals ranged from 20 to 40 years of loyal service.
“The long service was for service that started before the amalgamation of the nine towns that were incorporated to corm the City of Ekurhuleni,” said Gadebe.
Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina congratulated the medal recipients for reaching this milestone.
Speaking at the parade, Gauteng MEC for Safety and Security Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane said, “We appreciate the passion the police are showing in their work.
“These medals will motivate them to perform their duties excellently in their communities. We thank them for their unbroken service that has been characterised by dedication and hard work.”
Superintend Ronald Botha, a recipient of a 20-year service medal dedicated the medal to his late friend and colleague who was killed in the line of duty about three years ago.
However, he said it is rewarding because of the personal sentiments he attached to the ornament.
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