Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Pat Ngomane has called on police officers who joined the police service because of unemployment to leave the force.
Ngomane says being a police officer must be a calling and those who have no passion for it must go look for other employment. He was speaking during the memorial service of the late Major General Ellias Dlamini today in Mbombela. Dlamini died in a crash last week (07 June 2018) following a collision between the vehicle he was driving and a bakkie.
During the memorial service, Ngomane said that Dlamini was not just an ordinary officer in the police service but a selfless community worker who devoted his life to the safety of the people of the province. "It is that reason that we need to honour him by serving the community with officers who are committed to assist the people. "Those who have no passion for policing must leave the force and allow those who want to work to come in. We are tired of police officers who join the force because of unemployment and end up committing crime and tarnish the good work that other officers are doing," he said.
He added that corrupt officers do not belong in the police force or the community but in jails. Ngomane said in honour of Dlamini, police must work tirelessly to arrest the criminals who kidnap children and kill them, and those who poach rhinos for their horns. He said that there's a reason why God decided to take Dlamini while he was still in the force and not retired; He wanted him to work for the community until his last day. He praised Dlamini saying he had a calling for his job and was always loyal and portrayed a father figure to other officers. "It is unfortunate that he died on the road, something which we fought for together. We are not going to stop until we win the fight against road carnage and until our roads are safe," he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma said that Dlamini died as a soldier in the line of duty with his boots still on his feet and pistol on his belt. He said that Dlamini's death came at a time when he was needed the most. Zuma added that his death should leave a reminder to all officers that there is still a long way to go in ensuring a safe environment for communities. "Let us commit that going forward we will go an extra mile to servicing our people. We shall fight the war against crime for the sake of peace in the lives of people in memory of Dlamini," he said.
He added that the trust bestowed on them by the community members shall always be respected.
National Deputy Commissioner in Human Resource Management Lieutenant General Christinah Mgwenya praised the late General saying in memory of him, officers must remember the oath that they took, which is to serve and protect the people. She said that Dlamini was an officer of integrity who hated corruption and that should be a reminder that corrupt officers will never be tolerated and accepted in the force.
Ends.
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