Dedicated police honoured

WHITE RIVER – Style, glitz and glamour formed the backdrop for the Mpumalanga SAPS Prestige Awards held at Ingwenyama Conference & Sports Resort on August 8.
The day also marked the celebration of Women’s Month in the sector.
The provincial commissioner Lt Gen Thulani Ntobela applauded women in the sector for being multi-skilled individuals.

‘They chased criminals during the day and go back to be mothers and wives at home,” said Ntobela during his welcoming remarks.
He mentioned that police in the province were eager to change the situation for the better.

“This day is to celebrate the success of those police members who went an extra mile in their duties. Behind all the certificates and prizes received there lie hard work, determination and a positive attitude to excel in their work,” he said.

Ntobela’s sentiments were echoed by the MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Mr Vusi Shongwe, who thanked officers who were eager to bring dignity to the police.
“As a department together with SAPS women we are not going to leave any stone unturned. Comrades must also comply to the laws of this country,” he said.

He added that the work and responsibility of police was not to negotiate but to arrest culprits without fear or favour.
He said police needed not to be very harsh with criminals as they didn’t know if the criminals were armed or not.

“Your work is to enforce law,” he said. He also applauded the work done by members of Community Policing Forums (CPF) in the province in supporting the SAPS in their work of eliminating crime.

Shongwe also condemned a hit and run incident which recently happened in Standerton where a on-duty policeman was seriously injured after being hit by motorists who never stopped at the scene.
“The perpetrator will not get away with it and this will serve as a lesson to all would-be law breakers,” he said.

The awards were also attended by the Deputy National Commissioner Lt Gen Christine Mngwenya who was accompanied by her mother.
“I love what I am doing at the time but it is hard work. Nevertheless we are to celebrate those members who diligently serve their communities with passion, compassion, humour and style,”
She thanked all the members who had brought respect to the sector.

“Carry the torch forward with charisma and enthusiasm, bearing in mind the nature of your duty which is to protect and secure the inhabitants of South Africa and their properties and upholding the law at all times,” she said.

Mngwenya also emphasised the call made by the National Commissioner Riah Phiyega to name and shame corrupt police officials.
“This shows how serious our management is in dealing with corrupt officials,” she added.
Mngwenya also condemned the murder of police officials in the country, “We will not and will never be deterred by this shameful act directed at our officials,” she said.
She also said the sector prides itself in their women who are eager to ensure better communities and a safer South Africa.
Mngwenya also urged police to work hard in removing illegal firearms in their communities in an attempt to curb the scourge of crime in the country.

The event was also attended by provincial commissioners from other provinces as well CPF members and local business entrepreneurs.
Maj Gen MT Hadebe expressed their wish of hosting the National Commissioner in the province.
“We are waiting to see her and be addressed by her. We need to feel her warmth in the province as well,” she said.
She also thanked Mpumalanga’s mogul and billionaire Mr Robert Gumede for sponsoring the event every year. Other sponsors included Metropolitan and Casambo.

Box
The winning officials in their different departments were:
Prizes for overall Vispol Commander of the year went to Witbank’s Col H.A Oosthuizen while the Vispol employee of the year was Const SH Ubisi of Nelspruit and the Vispol group that of Lt SJ Thela of Machadodorp.
Lt Col GP Maahlo of Witbank’s Trio Task Team was honoured as detective commander of year, while WO PD Masango ,also of Witbank, won the accolade as detective employee of the year. Balfour’s FCS W/O DA Dlamini was announced the detective group of the year.
Officials of the provincial offices who outshined them all in support, included Col JG de Klerk who won support commander of the year, Ms CM Romain was awarded support employee of the year, while Capt KK Makaleng received the prize as the support group of the year.
Prizes for the best reservist went to Kinross’s R/Const TJ Mthombeni while the catch of the year was that of Acorhoek’s Const N Dumesa.
KaBokweni’s station commander Col VN Xhelithole was awarded for being the station commander of the year.
Prizes for the best CPF went to Tonga Police Station while the senior manager of the year went to Maj Gen MT Hadebe.
Brig Dora Xaba of Nelspruit Cluster was named cluster commander of the year.