Thirty-five members of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department were decorated with loyal service and 2010 Soccer World Cup Support Medals at a medal parade in Kempton Park on Friday.
The members are the first of 1 100 recipients of the honorary decorations for dedicating their lives to serve, protect and enforce the law.
Some members started before the amalgamation of the nine towns that were incorporated to form the City of Ekurhuleni and the service medals ranged from 20 to 40 years.
Ekurhuleni mayor Clr Mzwandile Masina stated that 5 000 more members will be recruited to join the EMPD in the next five years in a bid to double the efforts to maintain law and order in the city.
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He also congratulated the medal recipients for reaching this milestone.
“We appreciate the passion the police are showing in their work,” said Gauteng MEC for Safety and Security, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane.
“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 a friend and colleague who was killed in line of duty about three years ago.
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