Margeret Avenue in Kempton Park CBD was met with a beautifully unified sight last week Friday as 35 Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) members received medals for their various achievements during a medal parade.
Despite the sweltering heat, the members in blue and brown seemed excited and proud as they marched to the beat of two military drums.
Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina decorated them with either a medal for loyal service from 20 to 40 years or the 2010 Soccer World Cup Support Medal.
“It gives me great pleasure to say thank you to the men and women in uniform who have served us diligently and without any compromise,” Masina said to those attending the ceremony.
“I hope that young officers who come through the ranks will learn from your discipline, commitment and dedication.”
Masina added that the EMPD hoped to recruit 5 000 more officers over the next five years in a bid to double the efforts of law enforcement in the City of Ekurhuleni.
MEC for Safety and Security Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane also attended the prestigious event. “We know it has not been a smooth journey but many of you have gone beyond the call of duty,” she said to the celebrated officers.
See more photographs here
“Some of you have even put your own lives in danger for the safety of the province.”
Witness to this was Supt Ronald Botha, who dedicated his 20-year service medal to his late friend and colleague who died in the line of duty three years ago.
Friends and family of the EMPD officers weren’t the only ones to witness the medal ceremony. Pedestrians caught a peek over a police vehicle to see what all the commotion was about.
