In their bid to fulfil the purpose of creating a safe and secure environment that is conducive to teaching and learning for the Durban University of Technology (DUT) community, the Protection Services unit accepted three new bakkies from the Logistical Services unit on Tuesday, 01 October 2024.
This hand over took place during the second annual Crime Awareness Week hosted by the Protection Services unit from Monday, 30 September 2024 to Friday, 04 October 2024 in the Durban and Midlands campuses.
Speaking at the Vehicle Handover ceremony, Acting Director of Logistical Services at DUT, Mr Steven Mkhize shared his excitement over the successful collaboration between the two units. “We were very happy that we got to deliver one of our values which is excellence. I am very proud with the standard of our assets at the institution as its symbolises the beginning of great things that are yet to happen,” he shared.
The mandate of the Protection Services Unit (PSU) is to create and maintain a safe environment at all seven campuses of DUT. This mandate is derived from DUT’s desire to improving students’ safety and wellbeing.
The unit has the following sections under its ambit; Operations, Investigations, Health and Safety, CCTV and Card Production. A collaboration amongst all these sections serves and brings to life the main mandate of the Protection Services Unit.
Senior Director of Real Estate and Project Management, Mr Thobani Mhlongo made the official handover of vehicles to the Protection Services Unit Director, Mr Relibile Mofokeng. He also urged the unit to ensure the proper utilisation of these vehicles and to guard against any mismanagement.
“We are handing over these vehicles to the Protection Services Unit and we are hoping they will keep them the same. The other part is the objective of handing these branded Protection Services Unit vehicles. They must mean something to our students and staff as we want them to feel well taken care of and protected, as part of our values,” he said.
This timely donation is marked as a significant contribution towards improving the lives of students and the entire DUT community.
In closing, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations at DUT, Dr Vuyo Mthethwa congratulated the unit and encouraged drivers to carry the DUT brand with respect.
“Use these tools wisely, with care and make sure that they deliver what they supposed to do. We are celebrating our Crime Awareness Week, and it is quite opportunistic that we have this session in respect of vehicles because that is precisely what it’s all about. This is all about protecting and preserving the university at large and the people within the institution. You will be carrying the DUT brand and it is your responsibility to protect it,” she concluded.
Pictured: DUT Fleet Manager, Ms Bonisiwe Mbatha, Acting Director: Logistical Services, Mr Steven Mkhize, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations, Dr Vuyo Mthethwa, Director of Protection Services, Mr Relibile Mofokeng and Senior Director of Real Estate Management, Mr Thabani Mhlongo at the vehicle handover ceremony.
Photographer: Mnqobi Ngobese
Thubelihle Dumakude
