Pretoria - Devoted police officers, who put their lives at risk to provide safety to communities countrywide, will be honoured next Tuesday on National Police Day, writes Proffesor Ndawonde.
On 27 January, South Africa will applaud members of the South African Police Services (SAPS) who give dignity to the blue uniform and those that have lost their lives.
The public does not often reflect on and appreciate the manner in which the men and women in blue put their lives on the line to protect that of others.
One such officer is Superintendent Leonie Vester, Head of the Umtata Organised Crime Unit in the Eastern Cape, who described her work as a "do-or-die" task.
The mother of three affirmed that being a police officer meant sacrificing your own life and those of your family.
She told BuaNews, police officers had no choice but to give off their best to make the lives of criminals miserable.
"I love my job despite the fact that I hardly spend time with my family. I have no choice. As long as innocent community members are protected and offenders are arrested, I'm happy.
"I appreciate and respect my work and I am a public servant and therefore I must be accountable," she said.
Supt Vester said she tried to make time for her family but her work was very demanding and she always strived to give off her best.
"I'm trying to make time for them but if I get a call from work; then I have no choice but to go out there and execute my duties."
The 39-year-old officer said being a woman in this field was not a problem for her and she believed that female officers had the ability to do better than their male counterparts.
Supt Vester was recently applauded by the Eastern Cape SAPS after leading a team that successfully arrested and charged the province's most wanted criminal who was allegedly involved in 38 counts of armed robbery.
Her colleague and husband, Senior Superintendent Ernest Vester described her as an enthusiastic officer who always puts her work first before anything.
"She's doing outstandingly well and as a family we are proud of her even though sometimes we get scared. But she is a brave woman and we trust her," he said.
While it might be rewarding to make arrests, police officers are sometimes presented with the consequences of their actions, such as threats from the relatives and friends of those arrested.
Constable Lusanda Nkatazo from the Mdantsane Police Station in the Eastern Cape told BuaNews that his job was tricky because some people in his community disliked him for arresting their relatives.
"But, I love my job and I don't care what others say. If someone has done wrong, he or she deserves to be punished.
"Working in your township is not easy because offenders or neighbours often look for favours which is something I don't entertain," said the 29-year-old constable.
Another challenge faced by officers on a daily basis, he said, was the temptation to accept bribes.
A mother of four, Captain Nomvula Mbense of Orlando West Police Station in Soweto, shared the same sentiment, adding that bribery and corruption was a major challenge in the job.
"There's nothing more frustrating than dedicating yourself and arresting a suspect only to find out the next day he was released because he had illegal connections at the station; this kills our morale," said Captain Mbense, who has 20 years of experience in her field.
This however does not deter her like-minded colleagues from continuing to do what they did best: arresting criminals and protecting the innocent.
