Long-service medals were awarded to 81 SAPS members in the Northern Cape at 3 SAI Military Base in Kimberley yesterday during a medal parade ceremony.
LONG-service medals were awarded to 81 SAPS members in the Northern Cape at 3 SAI Military Base in Roodepan in Kimberley on Thursday during a medal parade ceremony.
The acting provincial commissioner in the Northern Cape, Major-General Joey Kers, who has 42 years service, was among the members who received 10-, 20- and 30-year loyal service medals.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Mashay Gamieldien said the medals were conferred by Kers and the MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Nomandla Bloem.
“The head of ministry, acting head of the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, Lesego Wolfe, the executive mayor of the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, Pulane Mogatle, the provincial chairperson of the community policing board, Ephraim Homan, the deputy provincial commissioner for Crime Detection, Major-General Koliswa Otola, the acting deputy provincial commissioner for Policing, Brigadier Hennie van Rensburg, provincial heads, district and station commanders, heads of entities and departments attended the event,” said Gamieldien.
She added that Kers has sais that he was “honoured and privileged” to confer the medals as he would be retiring next month.
“He appreciated and recognised the members for the personal sacrifices made during their careers and extended his gratitude to the families of the medal recipients for sharing their partners, spouses, husbands and wives with the SAPS.”
Gamieldien stated that MEC Bloem, in her keynote address, paid tribute to the SAPS members who worked in “dangerous, lonely and thankless environments”.
“SAPS members must deal with a never-ending barrage of call-outs, tip-offs, violence and trauma. We stand firmly indebted for your service. For this, not even a mere medal is enough. Our appreciation and gratefulness is limitless,” said Bloem.
