Faces were contorted in concentration as the police officers tried to follow the super-fit instructors.

Matlala was wearing formal sportswear, while the officers turned up in any colour and cloth, wearing all kinds of T-shirts, some promoting banks, others carrying political slogans, some declaring their commitment to the fight against crime.

Matlala was more than happy to participate, he said, after being asked by the minister to join Operation Fitness.

"For me, to spend two hours here, it's nothing. It's a long project. Imagine doing this all over the country," said Matlala.

"I'm excited about this. The number is growing and young policemen are getting fit. I'm impressed."

However, he would like to see more metro cops attending the fitness events.

"I'm not saying they are unfit, but they need to come here," said Matlala, adding that he made sure he remained fit and led a healthy lifestyle.

"My wife is not complaining," he quipped, before heading back to the front row, surrounded by many women towering over him, motivated by his charming presence to kick even higher.

In contrast, several men in the back row were merely standing, some not even attempting to keep up with the moves.

But at least they were not sitting down.

A clearly irritated organiser grabbed the microphone when the pumping music died down for a moment, declaring: "Those who are sitting all the time ? we are not here to sit! Please let us work."

Luckily for one opportunistic officer, the organiser had not spotted him sleeping in his car outside the community hall.