KIMBERLEY: 05 OCTOBER 2022 - The annual SAPS Provincial Prayer Day Service was held at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Roodepan, Kimberley on Wednesday, 05 October 2022. The event was graced with the presence of the Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Koliswa Otola who was the functionary was accompanied by several senior managers. The day commenced with a procession of the SAPS drill platoon, the SAPS band and Mounted unit marching through the streets of Roodepan to the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
The opening interfaith prayers laid the spiritual foundation and the purpose of the day was delivered by the Provincial Commander of Employee Health and Wellness, Col(Rev) Sello Colane. A message of support was rendered by the Chairperson of the Provincial Community Police Board, Mr Ephraim Homan who commented that the community and the police will together squeeze the space where criminals operate.
A representative from SAPS Spiritual Crime Prevention structure also attended the service and offered their support and assistance to the police. The SAPS members in attendance were encouraged by the powerful sermon delivered by Pastor Charmaine Ramasedi from the book of Isaiah 46 while the SAPS band rendered powerful praise and worship items.
Fraternal ministers offered intercessory prayers specifically praying for the Police Management, mental health, suicide, police safety, GBVF and the trauma caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Provincial Commissioner for the Northern Cape, Lt Gen Koliswa Otola lit a candle in honour and remembrance of our members who died in the service and prayers were also offered for their families who were left behind. In her keynote address , Lt Gen Otola stated that members must remember that a family that prays together stays together.
Police safety month is not only a reminder that SAPS members are responsible for the safety of the community but also for their own safety and that of their colleagues. Gen Otola also reiterated that members should keep themselves physically healthy but most of all emotionally and spiritually in-tact by making use of the SAPS resources such as Employee Health and Wellness services, that is available to them when experiencing personal difficulties and problems.
Gen Otola thanked members for their hard work and were urged to continually keep our communities safe, especially as we are moving towards the festive season. We must remember that we are servants of the community, however they too have a responsibility in ensuring that our members are safe when attending to their complaints.
WO(Chaplain) Paul Volgraaf directed the programme while Brig Belinda Rikhotso who represented the Frances Baard District office delivered the vote of thanks. The prayer service was concluded with the benediction that was done by Lt Col(Rev) Itumeleng Pudule.