PORT ELIZABETH – The local organising committee have been having less sleep and extra work making the last minute confirmations, checklists, rehearsals and dry runs in anticipation of one of the busiest week in the national police calendar.

Eastern Cape Province is hosting the Annual National Excellence Awards, National Police Day and the SAPS Golf day. These events will be graced by the presence of the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele and his Deputy, Mr Casselle Mathale accompanied by National Commissioner General Khehla Sitole and senior police management.

The SAPS Golf Day and Prize Giving Dinner is a charity/fundraising event which aims to raise funds for the South African Police Service Education Trust (SAPSET).The main objective of the SAPSET is to create a fund for children of members of the South African Police Service employed in terms of the Police Act as well as the Public Service Act that died in the execution of duties by financing the costs of such children’s educational needs.

Handing over of a house is done as part of SAPS Corporate Social Initiative (CSI). The SAPS will hand over a newly built three-bedroom house to 79 year old Sisana Muad Mbinambina who has been living in a one room shack with her daughter and five grandchildren at NU12 Motherwell. The grandchildren are aged between 6 and 11 years old. Mrs Mbinambina’s pension money is the only source of income in her household.

Our important guests, the nominees and finalists in the National Excellence Awards are also arriving from various provinces. These are the men and women who have risen against all odds and went beyond the call of duty in their execution of their tasks. As an act of gratitude, they will be recognized and awarded in different employee categories. This is done to motivate them and encourage others to emulate the good deeds from the winners.

National Police Day was set aside by Cabinet in 2005 to ensure that SAPS management reflects on the previous year, appreciate serving members as well as to pay homage to fallen heroes. The theme for this year is SAPS members Keep flying the flag of SAPS high.

This weekend Port Elizabeth will be abuzz with police officers from 9 Provinces. Their presence in the friendly city will result in instant boost to local business, police visibility and general public safety.

Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga, the host Commissioner attended a number of planning and preparation meetings to ensure that all goes according to plan. The Eastern Cape Premier, Mr Oscar Mabuyane is expected to attend these activities.

Guests from the SAPS National Head Office have already tasted the hospitality only found in the Province of Legends-Eastern Cape when they disembarked at the airport as well as at places of accommodation.

Eastern Cape has a reputation to exceed expectations when organising such events and this year is no exception. The friendly, windy city has ordered the best weather for our guests.

Source: South African Police Service