DISCIPLINE, hard work, dedication and respect is key to a long service.
This is according to the men and women in blue who were honoured for their service in South African Police Service (SAPS).
The commissioner of the eThekwini district, Major-General Makhosazana Kheswa conferred a 10-year, 20-year and 30-year loyal service medals to dedicated and determined cops who served the people of KZN, especially the residents of eThekwini.
The eThekwini district has a total of 42 police stations and cops from the district received their honours during an official District Medal Parade at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu on Wednesday, 15 November.
A total of 118 cops were given medals, 54 for 10 years of service, 18 for 20 years and 43 for 30 years of service. Three deceased cops were also honoured.
A 30-year service medal recipient, Colonel Sinayo Mtshali (56), who is station commander at Wentworth cop shop, told Daily Sun that loyalty, discipline and dedication got her this far.
"I'm happy to have been honoured today. It's been a long journey for me, but I'm proud that I was able to get this far, " she said.
Sergeant Sibongile Dlamini (50) from the KwaMashu cop shop was honored with a 20-year service medal. She said she is excited and looks forward to 30 years.
"I do this for my community. I want to see residents safe at all times," she said.
The station commander at Folweni cop shop, Lieutenant-Colonel Nkululeko Kweyama (42) said 10-year service medal is very special. "I'm very proud and honoured. I'm still going to serve with pride. I look forward to getting a 20-year service medal," he said.
Meanwhile, three deceased cops, Warrant Officer Kevin Nair, Warrant Officer Bheki Luthuli and Warrant Officer Siphelele Nsele were also honoured with 30-year service medals, which were received by their family members.
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Nsele's wife, Nora Nsele said her husband died from a stroke in 2021. "It still hurts and it's been hard to continue with life since he passed away. But today I'm proud of him. Although he's not here, he is remembered," she said.
Kheswa said honouring the men and women in blue who have served so selflessly remains the top-notch category on the provincial SAPS calendar.
"This is a profession we join knowing that it is thankless. We join knowing that there are no riches and understand that the ultimate price one can pay is death itself," she said.
She said the SAPS eThekwini district notices and takes pride in their commitment to deliver services to residents. "May you continue to rise to the call and may God see you through right to the end. Congratulations to all of you," she said.
