While the public does not always appreciate the manner in which the men and women in blue put their lives on the line to protect others, some of Nyanga’s brave crime fighters were honoured at a special ceremony at the Nyanga police station on Friday June 14.
In partnership with Gift of the Givers, the Nyanga police station management applauded members of the South African Police Services (SAPS) who are dedicated and have contributed immensely in crime fighting in the area. They said these members give dignity and trust to the blue uniform while working under difficult conditions and in dangerous areas.
The day began with musical items from the police brass band followed by touching messages from the station commander Brigadier Vuyisile Ncata and Nyanga cluster commander Major General Sizakhele Dyantyi.
Speaking to the officers, Brigadier Ncata said in the area that he works, only committed police officers are needed.
He said those honoured have shown bravery and deserve to be appreciated and respected.
He encouraged them to continue to fight crime in Nyanga until the area is no longer the country’s murder capital.
“Nyanga is spoken of as the most dangerous precinct. But we have witnessed these members becoming stronger and stronger in the fight against crime. They have raised their hands and out performed. Some have not taken leave for 2018. These are the kind of police members we want,”
He said police should not be scared to do their work and protect the community. “We all have dreams. My encouragement would be for them to chase their dreams. In this area that we work, we really need committed people. We have to work together to stop Nyanga being the murder capital,” he stressed.
In his speech, Major General Dyantyi said Nyanga is a difficult precinct to work in.
He cited lack of infrastructure, dense Major General Dyantyi population and high crime as some of the challenges. “I always salute those who work here. It is one of the difficult precincts to work in because of its dynamics.”
He also urged the stations to motivate their members and said they will never tolerate those who are lazy and corrupt.
The big winner of the day, Sergeant Armstrong Mandla said being a police officer meant sacrificing your own life and those of your family. But Sergeant Mandla said his love for his job kept him working in any area, whether dangerous or not.
“Yes, Nyanga is viewed as a dangerous place but if you look at every area it has its challenges. The solution is to work around the clock solving the problem. Running away will not help me or the eople of Nyanga. I have to soldier on,” he said.
He was honoured for the best arrest and has leave of up to 36 days remaining to be taken.
Nyanga Community Policing Forum (CPF) secretary Dumisani Qwebe said the work of the police is acknowledged by many.
He said people of Nyanga have long ago committed to working with police in the fight against crime. He also acknowledged that Nyanga is not an easy place to work in.
The station promised to continue recognising its staff for their efforts.