ZWELITSHA – SAPS Family in the Eastern Cape converged at their Provincial Headquarters in Zwelitsha on Wednesday, 19 January 2022, as they celebrated National Police Day and the role played by women in the organisation. SAPS Senior management and a number of stakeholders honoured the initiative. This served as a build-up programme towards National Police Day Celebrations scheduled to take place in Tshwane on 27 January 2022.
One of women who were part of the organisation, retired Colonel Nonxa Jafta, described the celebrations as an effective effort and practice to bring peace today and vision for future in the life of the South African Police Service. She called upon women in blue to work together and diligently continue to fight criminality in the province, as well as promoting the reputation and image of the department.
Ms. Pumla Nqakula from Department of Community Safety urged all police officials to live with the South African Police Service Code of Conduct. She emphasised the meaning and significance of commitment in ensuring better future for the organisation. Discipline, respect, dedication and integrity were reiterated on her speech.
Various external stakeholders rendered messages in support of development of women in the police to ensure transformation at all spheres as an effort to build brighter future of the SAPS.
Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Support Services, Major General Thobeka Kunene, who represented the Provincial Commissioner, described the gathering as an opportunity for women to interact and reflect on the journey travelled up to now, as the positioning of women these days is inseparable from the women of days gone by.
She further praised role played by women in yester years for paving the way for disadvantaged women. “We are indebted to our predecessors, those who walked before us, those who paved the way for the disadvantaged women, are presented with leadership opportunities, and the responsibility to be mouthpiece of women whose cries over the past years remained unheard,” she said.
Major General Kunene also thanked SAPS leadership for remembering women and giving them a special honour during the 2022 Police Day Celebrations, and she viewed as a statement about seriousness the national management attaches to the plight of women in policing.
In concluding the keynote address, she expressed her appreciation for women who never sat down to wait for men to rescue them from their situations, but developed themselves and strived to make themselves better than yesterday. She further encouraged collective efforts against crimes against women and children in all angles of the province.
Source: South African Police Service