MKHUHLU – The Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie officiated the 5th Pass Out Parade for 86 newly trained traffic officers on December 13, at the Mpumalanga Traffic Training College in Mkhuhlu.
These graduates participated in the 12-month programme that is aimed at boosting law enforcement personnel in the province. They completed both the practical and academic assessments required for them to be fully equipped to hit the ground. Firearm handling, First Aid and Firefighting are some of the modules that these graduates completed.
Families, friends and traditional leaders were present at the event. Likewise, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), South African National Defence Force (SANDF) were among the dignitaries present. During his keynote address, Macie cautioned the newly qualified traffic officers to refrain from partaking in any unlawful practices of “tshotsho,” which loosely translates to bribery from motorists az
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MEC Macie said the department is ahead with their plans for a safer festive season. At least 34 new vehicles that will be utilised in safeguarding the well-being of all citizens. Macie further stated that these graduates are the much-needed boost for the law enforcement department.
“As a province we are understaffed in terms of personnel, they are going to be of great assistance to the department and the province because we are adding numbers now. The 86 might look small but it is a sizable number that we needed. Therefore, we are happy to say we are going to deploy them and be part of the department to make sure that our roads are safe. So we are happy to be here, we are unleashing them to the community so that they must go and defend the badge,’’ Macie said.
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Among the trainees was 29-year-old Lendey Shilubane, who stated that she is more determined to serve the community. ‘’We are very happy that we will be traffic officers that will be able to serve our country. It has been a tough year, but we are looking forward to make sure that we minimize accidents on the roads,” Shilubane said.
Phumele Mdluli who also pledged her service to the public said this pass out reflects her resilience and commitment to the citizens. She further expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
“We were given a good training in terms of how we must conduct ourselves and also how we should act in the public. Over the years there have been a lot of accidents and corruption, so we were taught how to minimize that. And also to respect the opportunity that we were given also because of the high unemployment rate especially in our province Mpumalanga,” Mdluli added.
The graduates received medals, trophies and prizes for their outstanding performances in different categories. They will be deployed to various parts of the province soon.
