Local police officers recognised by Police minister
The minister of Police, Bheki Cele, opened a new police station, visited a local school, interacted with the community and awarded service medals to Mpumalanga officers during National Police Day last Wednesday
KAMHLUSHWA – Police minister Bheki Cele, national police commisioner, Gen Khehla Sitole, dignitaries from South Africa and several neighbouring countries, as well as police from across Mpumalanga gathered at KaMhlushwa SAPS to officially open the state-of-the-art facilities.
The station, headed by Capt Mzandile Nyambi, has been operating for about a year and a half and has already had numerous successes in curbing crime through community campaigns, arresting suspects and recovering drugs.
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Cele visited KaMhlushwa Primary near the police station, then visited Tonga Taxi Rank before unveiling a plaque during the police station’s opening ceremony.
During the signing of the station’s register, Cele told community members that the opening of KaMhlushwa Police Station is one of the measures being instituted to curb cross-border crime.
He expressed the hope that the police station would be a point of excellence and serve the people, and promised that the police would work in unity with the community to keep them safe.
Cele added that police are working together as a cluster with the SANDF, Customs and Home Affairs to deal with cross-border crimes.
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He stated that an agreement has been reached with neighbouring countries and new strategies to deal with these crimes are already in action.
Sitole, in turn, spoke about cash-in-transit heists, which affected communities across the country.
“Most criminals managed to steal here in the community, and we made a call nationally. Within a short space of time we responded and managed to arrest the top 20 criminals involved in cash-in-transit heists,” he said.
READ about last year’s CIT heists and robberies on the rise
As lack of resources and manpower are often the biggest obstacles crime-fighters face, KaMhlushwa Police Station was built to ensure that more police are deployed in the area and communities do not have to travel far in order to utilise the services.
To end off the celebrations, police from stations across the province were invited to a medal parade. Officers who have been in the service for 20, 30 and 40 years were rewarded for their commitment and dedication.
Criteria such as records of no corruption, exemplary conduct, irreproachable character and participation in various activities were applied to ensure that the cream of the crop were recognised.
READ: Medals for exceptionally dedicated SAPS members
A local police officer also received national recognition during the SAPS’ National Excellence Awards held in White River on Friday. Sgt Phuthuma Madonsela, of Tonga SAPS’ Men for Change, received a second place in the Man of the Year category.
