The provincial commissioner of the SAPS in the Northern Cape, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, hosted her first Medal Parade since her appointment in August last year at the 3 SAI SANDF parade grounds in Kimberley.
THE PROVINCIAL commissioner of the SAPS in the Northern Cape, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, hosted her first Medal Parade since her appointment in August last year at the 3 SAI SANDF parade grounds in Kimberley on November 7.
Also in attendance were the Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul, the MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Nomandla Bloem, the MEC for Youth, Women, Disability, Communications and e-Government, Venus Blennies, the provincial director-general, Justice Bekebeke, the executive mayors of the Frances Baard District and Sol Plaatje Local municipalities, the acting deputy national commissioner for Support Service, Lieutenant-General L Ntshiea, the provincial SAPS management, other dignitaries, district commissioners, station commanders, the Community Police Board, SAPS members and community members.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said that Saul conferred 218 medals in recognition of dedicated and loyal service of 10, 20 and 30 years respectively and eight commendations for bravery.
The welcoming address on the day was delivered by Lieutenant-General Ntshiea, who said she was honoured to address a parade of medal recipients who had displayed “exemplary and loyal conduct” during their years of service to the Northern Cape and the country as men and women in blue.
Saul and his entourage inspected the parade prior to the reading of the SAPS Code of Conduct by Constable A Tithus.
Saul, Nsthiea and Otola had the “privilege” of awarding the medals to the recipients. Among the recipients was the deputy provincial commissioner for Crime Detection, Major-General MA Lekhele, who received her medal for 30 years of loyal service.
The provincial Search and Rescue team received commendation medals for bravery and their “outstanding work” during the February 2021 floods in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, “where their own lives were placed in severe danger to save the lives of others and also to ensure that humanitarian aid was delivered to hundreds of flood victims”.
The keynote address was delivered by Saul, who commended the 218 recipients and celebrated the remarkable achievements of the SAPS members. He reiterated that their exemplary conduct is seen as a “milestone and outstanding achievement”.
Otola, in her vote of thanks, expressed her “pride and heartfelt gratitude” towards all the medal recipients and encouraged them to continue to uphold the Code of Conduct of the South African Police Service.
She also thanked Saul, his entourage and all other dignitaries, SAPS members and the community for their support and attendance of the medal parade.
