Potchefstroom– The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, welcomed 267 new Constables in the province today, 28 December 2018, during a parade held at Klerksdorp Recreational Centre’ Sports Ground. 

Upon addressing members, the Provincial Commissioner said that the new men and women in blue have a huge responsibility of ensuring that our communities are safe during this period, either while at home, shopping centres, roads, tourism destinations or attending events at various places.

“We welcome you during the peak of the Safer Festive Season Operations which was officially launched at the beginning of November in the Eastern Cape. Your contribution towards the fight against crime and stamping the authority of the state is needed now more than ever,” said Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane.

The Provincial Commissioner also quoted the Minister of Police, Mr Bheki Cele who said during the pass-out parade last week in Pretoria, “Now, proud as we are of this milestone of an achievement, we are mindful that this is only but the first step in a journey of a thousand miles. The road ahead is steep. The road ahead is tough. Blatant, ruthless criminals, some even masqueraded as friends and family, await you in the streets. They wait to corrupt you. They wait to fight with you. They wait to lie and accuse you. They wait to give you wrong instructions and ideas, trying to protect their criminal syndicates and their underworld empires. Unfortunately, some of you are actually going to fall into these traps. It will only be a few months before you are caught red handed, before you become an embarrassment to the police service and to your families, who today are so proud of you. Officers, if anyone has not told you before, today I am telling you: this is a war and YOU MUST FIGHT.”

She concluded by wishing the members the best of luck in the South African Police Service. She said that the members must go out and make the Service proud by rendering a quality service.

-SAPS NW