The South African Police Service (SAPS) observed this year’s National Police Day by raising funds for the children of police officers who died in the line of duty.
Cabinet approved January 27 as National Police Day in 2005. It is a day when SAPS remembers sacrifices made by men and women in blue who have made and continue to make as they provide safety for all who live in South Africa.
SAPS spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said, “SAPS lost 140 police officers in the last four years. These were men and women who were bread-winners and died in the line of duty, serving and protecting.”
Mathe added that more than 100 golf players from various corporate companies across the country pledged and raised R6.6m for the South African Police Education Trust Fund (SAPSET).
Parkview Police Station’s acting commander, Lieutenant Colonel Dula Mokwena said National Police Day was a reminder of the sacrifices that police officials have made and continue to make.
“Parkview Police were preventing all acts which may threaten the safety of the community by policing two big events that were held at Marks Park and Johannesburg Botanical Gardens in Emmarentia on January 27.”
Parkview’s Community Police Forum chairperson, Geraldine Connell explained that although there were several corrupt members of SAPS, there were many committed and dedicated SAPS officers with integrity.
“The CPF believes it is appropriate to pay tribute to these officers by naming a day of recognition for them. January 27 is a good day to choose as it is at the start of a new year.”
“There are many commendable CPF members, CPF members give of their time and efforts voluntarily. We are finding that the demands on us are increasing as SAPS raises its reliance on our patrollers for being ‘force multipliers’.”
She concluded that quarterly reporting to the district general also required dedication and commitment. “For these reasons, I think the CPF members should also be acknowledged alongside SAPS on January 27.”
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