The Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile recently honoured local members of the South African Police Service for their 40-, 30- and 20-year loyal service at a ceremony and parade in Cape Town. This event, which took place on Tuesday (4 December), recognised the sacrifices made by these members and symbolised the police’s appreciation of all the work they had done. In addition to the honours, the members were promoted to new positions at their respective stations.
Police officers from all the stations in the Swartland attended the special event. WO Byron Appolis of Riebeek Valley has been promoted to the rank of captain.
He will now be the new station commander at Riebeek West with a total of more than 30 years of service.
Capt Marko Heydenrych of Malmesbury Police Station has been promoted to the rank of Lt Col. With more than 35 years in the service, he was appointed the Visible Policing head for the town.
Capt Jeremy Blankenberg was promoted a few years ago to captain, which is now the newly promoted Lt Col for Support after the retirement of Lt Col Zeno Phillips last year.
The detective branch also received a new commander who was also promoted to the rank of Lt Col Lindikhaya Mkhontwana. Mkhontwana hails from Worcester and will be a great asset for Malmesbury.
The Malmesbury police management congratulated these recipients on hard work and dedication.
