Provincial Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Ms Machwene Semenya has urged the public and members of the South African Police Service to blow the whistle on those using their blue uniforms to victimise people and to conduct illegal activities.

Speaking at the province's third South African Police Service awards ceremony in Polokwane, Ms Semenya also pointed out that there were many men and women in uniform who went beyond the call of duty and performed dedicated service, even after normal working hours.

The MEC reaffirmed the government's commitment to improve the salaries of police officers across the board, as promised by both the President and the Minister of Finance.

"We are mindful of the fact that better remuneration of members of the police service is important in the building of their confidence and the sustenance of their livelihoods; however, we still believe that non-monetary incentives are equally important in increasing higher levels of service delivery," she said.

She believed that the excellence awards conferred during the ceremony would serve as major boosters to the morale and confidence of not only the recipients, but the entire police service in the province.

The MEC said the department took pride in work well done, but would not hesitate to condemn those who did not take their work seriously, by victimising members of the public and utilising state resources for their own benefit.

"Loyal and honest cops should blow the whistle on those within their ranks found to be involved in these illicit activities, and we further call upon the public and members of Community Policing Forums to make use of available platforms to report police officers who hide behind the blue uniform to take part in illegal activities," she suggested.

Ms Semenya expressed the hope that Limpopo would maintain its reputation of being "the home of peace," and continue to register low crime levels through close cooperation between law enforcers and local communities.