Bitou public safety force inspected ahead of peak season
Andile Sakati, Bitou’s senior manager of Public Safety, last Friday held an inspection of the municipality’s combined public safety force – comprising Traffic Control, Fire and Rescue, and Law Enforcement – in preparation for the forthcoming holiday season.
The inspection was held at Pletts driving licence testing centre in the presence of Bitou mayor Peter Lobese, who was accompanied by municipal manager Lonwabo Ngoqo and councillors Monica Seyisi and Anne Windvogel, as well as senior municipal officials.
Under the command of senior firefighter Mervin de Waal, 34 officers of Bitou’s Public Safety force gave a splendid performance of marching and parade ground drill. The councillors and officials inspected a guard of honour and were given an overview of the vehicles and equipment used to maintain safety, law and order in and around Plett.
In their address, the mayor and other speakers stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of visitors over the course of the peak holiday season when there is normally a considerable increase in the number of people in Plett and environs.
Said Lobese: “We have to ensure that visitors to our town feel safe at all times. The visibility of law enforcement officers is very important. During December 2018 and in the early part of this year, there were no incidents of note for which we thank you.
“We are confident that you will carry out your duties properly over the forthcoming holiday period. Keep up the good work!”
At the inspection, several Public Safety officers were presented with certificates of achievement by Lobese, who also bestowed upon Mervin de Waal the epaulettes signifying his promotion to the rank of senior firefighter.
CX-press wishes the staff of the Public Safety Force in Bitou every success in their endeavours and in the execution of their duties over the busy weeks of the festive season.