Sport is the best weapon against crime – MMC Sun

05 September 2016

 

Engaging in sporting activities in the law enforcement fraternity was important in the fight against crime, City of Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety Cllr Michael Sun said on Sunday, September 4.

 

Cllr Sun was speaking during the opening ceremony of this year’s National Metro Police Games at the Turffontein Racecourse, south of Johannesburg.

The five-day tournament, which this year is being hosted by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), will see metro police officers from Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and eThekwini compete for top honours in cycling, darts, golf, netball, volleyball, pool, shooting and road running. The National Metro Police Games, which are in their 11th year, kicked off with a cycling race at the Cradle of Humankind in Muldersdrift, west of Johannesburg, on Monday, September 5. They will be wrapped up on Thursday, September 8.

Welcoming the competitors, Cllr Sun said the games would also nurture the bond of brotherhood and sisterhood among the officers of the various metro police departments and strengthen their resolve to fight crime.

“By your presence here today, you have become closer and by this you show your solidarity in fighting the scourge of crime in South Africa. In the same breath, I ask all of you to give the competition all you’ve got! As the City of Johannesburg being the host this year, we would like to wish every one of you all the best. We certainly feel the energy from every member of the fraternity,” Cllr Sun said.

“We hope that this will encourage more members to participate in one form of sporting activity or another during their careers. These activities illustrate the importance of keeping fit and healthy, particularly in our line of work.”

JMPD spokesman Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said his department was the leader in the shooting category because of its high levels of training. He, however, expected the competition from its counterparts to be stiffer this year.

“We also wish all departments to do well in the games so we have more physically and mentally fit officers on the beat,” he said.