Retired officers and current senior members of the South African Police Service in the province were honoured with medals by their provincial commissioner, NC Sengani, at the Lesley Manyathela Stadium in Musina last Wednesday.

The awarding of medals, which was in commemoration of ten years of policing since the dawn of democracy, also marks a historic moment of the South African Police Service in Limpopo. The medals were handed over to members and retired officers who have completed 10, 20 and 30 years of faithful service.

Provincial Commissioner Sengani said that the medal commemorating 10 years of democracy is awarded to a member who joined the SAPS between 1995 and 2005. “This implies that every member who falls within this category qualifies for this medal,” he said. Sengani added that the core idea of holding the medal ceremony was to salute dedicated and selfless personnel who contributed towards democratic policing in the province.

To the recipients, Sengani said “well done and you deserve this honour”. He further added that they were being thanked for working many years without indulging themselves in corrupt and criminal activities. “Police officials who joined the police service with evil intentions are rotting in jails, while others have been dismissed from their duties,” he said.

The provincial commissioner further pleaded with his members that they should continue working faithfully until their retirement. “You are an example to the up and coming constables who are still aspiring to make it through the long and challenging, but interesting journey in the police service,” said Sengani.

He said that the recipients must wear the medals with pride and gratification, adding that the medals should encourage them to double their efforts in performing their duties effectively and professionally. To the new and energetic police officials who have recently been enlisted in the police service, Sengani said they must emulate the good practices of the recipients. “There is no doubt that serving more than 30 years needs a lot of discipline, which leads to healthy living. To engage oneself in a reckless lifestyle is tantamount to contracting contagious deceases, which makes it impossible to serve many years like our colleagues in front of us here,” he said.

The recipients include Assitant Commissioner of the Vhembe district, Joseph Maepa, retired officers Mr AJ Makhokha, RF Munyai, TS Funyufunyu and Jerry Murulana.