Comrades Marathon: Saps ready on and off track as 200 officers prepare to race
National police commissioner Fannie Masemola has wished 200 police officials well as they prepare to participate in the 96th Comrades Marathon in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday.
Masemola has encouraged fitness in the police service, saying this would benefit officers and improve productivity.
More than 20 000 runners have entered to run the grueling 87.7km race that has been dubbed ‘The Ultimate Human Race’, and among them will be 170 male police officers and 30 female police officers.
Masemola has commended the men and women in blue for promoting wellness in Saps.
“We have 21 sporting codes in the SAPS which include athletics, rugby, and soccer where we encourage members to keep fit and healthy. Over and above that we have a fitness policy in the SAPS that ensures operational members undergo fitness tests and assessments regularly,” he say.
"Our medical aid, Polmed also looks at wellness programmes for members. So, there is a lot that we are doing as an organisation to ensure our members follow a healthy lifestyle. So, good luck to the team, we know they will make us proud, and we cannot wait to have them back to arrest more criminals.“
#sapsHQ The Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi wishes 200 police officers well as they will be taking part in the 96th Comrades Marathon this Sunday, and commends the role played by the sponsorships in supporting #TeamSAPS. #SAPSSport ML pic.twitter.com/FufuctTvOb
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) June 10, 2023
At the same time, KZN provincial commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said there were more than 3 000 security officials on the ground to ensure the safety of participants and spectators.
“From law enforcement in general we have over 500 members that are going to be operating, and with all the security companies and volunteers that are on board, we are looking at a force of over 3 000 people that are going to be on the road from the start to the finish [line].
Mkhwanazi said he is confident that the deployment, which includes officers on motorbikes, horseback and air support, will offer adequate all-round security at all strategic places linked to the race.
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