Pretoria — A total of 273 members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Cape Town, Western Cape, have been honoured for their loyal service.

Presenting service medals in Bellville today, provincial community safety MEC Leonard Ramatlakane said police officers were playing a vital role of defending democracy and upholding the constitutional mandate.

'You are the shield of democracy, non-racism, non-sexism, unity and stability,' the MEC said.

Six police officers received the SAPS Star for Merit for 30-years service, 17 received the SAPS Star for Faithful Service (20 years) and 250 received the SAPS Medal for Faithful Service (10 years).

Fallen police officers who died in the line duty were also remembered at the ceremony.

Of the 163 police officers murdered in South Africa last year, 17 were killed in the Western Cape.

According to the police, the national figure is less compared to the 185 police killed in 2000.