Gauteng - Millions of police officers countrywide were honoured on National Police Day for risking their lives to ensure that South Africans were protected.
In Mpumalanga, on Tuesday, MEC for Safety and Security Siphosezwe Masango honoured, 13 police officials who passed away while on duty last year.
The late police officers, he said, were patriotic and brave freedom fighters who worked for the safety of communities.
"These police officers were conscious of defending the citizens at the expense of their lives as they died while on duty," the MEC said.
The MEC has also awarded medals to over 30 longest serving police officers, saying they were committed to protecting the society regardless of the challenges.
In Gauteng, Kempton Park Police Station Commander Supt Deliwe de Lange honoured four police officers who lost their lives while on duty.
Speaking at the Barnard Stadium, Supt de Lange said police deserve to celebrate the day as they work accordingly and risk their lives and of their families to ensure that South Africans are protected.
"Many of our colleagues have put themselves in dangerous situation just to protect the lives of community members.
"Some of these members have lost their lives in scenes and we have to pay our greatest gratitude to those heroes and heroines," she said.
Meanwhile, in KwaZulu-Natal, police officers were remembered with a wreath laying and touch lighting ceremony at the T M Shabalala Stadium in Lindelani Township, north of Durban.
