The South African Police Service (SAPS) participated in the annual “Take a child to work” campaign this week by hosting learners from various schools across the country.
While various provinces held events to exhibit and showcase the various careers within the SAPS, the main event was held at the SAPS Academy in Pretoria West on Thursday.
The event attracted various learners from schools in and around Tshwane.
Over the years, the SAPS has participated in the “Take a girl child to work’ initiative but this year the SAPS expanded its invitation to include boys.
“For the service, this event provides an opportunity to reach out to young people as part of the organisation’s drive to market the South African Police Service as an ideal employer of choice,” SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.
Mathe said the learners were exposed to the various career paths available in the SAPS by visiting the career exhibition stalls where they also grabbed the opportunity to interact with experts in the various policing fields.
Amongst the units present to showcase their expertise were members from Forensic Science Laboratories, visible policing, operational response services and human resources management.
During her keynote address, the Acting National Commissioner for the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Bonang Mgwenya, used the opportunity to not only encourage the learners to one day become members of the SAPS, but also to become champions of gender-based violence.
In line with Child Protection Week, Mgwenya announced successes in the fight against crimes committed against women and children.
“During the 2017/18 financial year, 692 life sentences have been handed down, the perpetrators of these crimes were sentenced to a total of 30 521 years’ imprisonment and 3 234 dockets were registered. All these cases relate to violent crimes committed against women and children.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the way in which we investigate these sophisticated and sensitive crimes, really shows how committed the SAPS is in enforcing the authority of the State to ensure that all people in this country, are safe.”
Mgwenya encouraged learners to report crime to authorities and refrain from engaging themselves in criminal activities to ensure that they too become role models in their communities. – SAnews.gov.za
