Mpumalanga cops on the beat to promote police safety
The Mpumalanga SAPS used Police Safety Month to honour fallen officers while raising awareness on safety and gender-based violence.
September is dedicated to commemorating police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. As a way of honouring these fallen heroes, the Mpumalanga SAPS has dedicated the entire month to reinforcing police safety protocols and raising awareness among both officers and the public.
On Friday, September 19, as part of Police Safety Month, SAPS members conducted a public awareness campaign on Ferreira Street, Mbombela, distributing pamphlets to motorists.
The campaign focused on promoting Police Safety Month, raising awareness about gender-based violence (GBV), and encouraging the public to break the silence and report GBV and other crimes.
One of the officers who participated, Lieutenant Colonel Dimpho Nkosi, who is responsible for police safety, said: “We are raising awareness of the killing of police members. We are pleading with community members to come forward with information regarding cases of those who have been killed while on and off duty. This is our way to say no to police killings.”
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Last Wednesday, September 17, members from the provincial head office joined local pastors and stakeholders at Pienaar Police Station for a prayer session. Participants prayed for an end to police killings, the safety and protection of officers, and for strength in the fight against crime.
Sergeant Lawrence Dumisani Mtshweni was shot and killed while responding to a burglary in Schoemansdal in the early hours of August 9.
“While assessing a crime scene, the officers were attacked by about 10 gunmen. Our member was shot in the upper body and sadly passed away after he was taken to hospital,” said the provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, at the time.
He said Mtshweni was a member of the Visible Policing Unit at Schoemansdal Police Station and had 18 years of service in the SAPS.
The acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that all officers are operationally ready when responding to crime.
“Officers are continuously reminded to stay alert and vigilant, treat every complaint as potentially life-threatening, and remain mindful of the constant dangers inherent in police work.”
The police provincial spokesperson, Colonel Fundiswa Maphanga, said the SAPS urges members of the public to take a stand against attacks on police officers. “Anyone with information regarding criminal activities or police-related threats is encouraged to report it through the Crime Stop hotline: 08600 10111, or the My SAPS app.”
