Today was a special day in the Northern Cape Police as members were honoured and awarded with medals for their loyal years of service and the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Risimati Shivuri was handed the sword of command by the Acting National Commissioner, Lieutenant General Lesetja Mothiba.
The MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Me Pauline Williams was in attendance of this ceremony which saw members being awarded for having 20, 30 and 40 years of loyal service.
The event started with the Acting National Commissioner, Lt Gen Mothiba giving a word of welcome to the guest. He appreciated the long and loyal service rendered by the recipients of medals. He urged them to continue serving the community with pride, loyalty and dignity. The Acting National Commissioner further commended Lt Gen Shivuri for showing courage and strength throughout his two years as a Provincial commissioner. "The sword given to you today, tender as a commitment to serve the community and move this province forward", said the Acting National Commissioner.
The MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Me Pauline Williams rendered the keynote address. She congratulated medal recipients and thanked their families for supporting them throughout the years. She alluded that, although there are members who just come to work as normal routine, there is a rare breed of police officials who wake up in the morning to put on their blue suit with pride and dignity not even knowing that they might return home safe. To others is more of a calling than a job, therefore it gives me pleasure as a politician to see people who put their lives in danger to protect our communities being honoured and appreciated like this, she said.
The event was ended with Lt Gen Shivuri giving the vote of thanks. He appreciated the partnership between all role players such as the Community Poling Forum Board, South African National Defence Force, Department of Correctional Service and Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison. Lt Gen Shivuri will again this evening be hosting the Provincial Excellence Awards whereby members will continue to be appreciated and honoured, only in this time the appreciation will be given to those members who went beyond the call of duty to ensure that are communities are and feel safe.
