TSHIFHIWA SHONISANI

JOHANNESBURG - At an emotional memorial service held at the Hatfield Christian Church in Pretoria yesterday, National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele paid tribute to the seven police officers who were killed in a crash near Witbank last Friday.

The victims of the helicopter crash were members of the National Intervention Unit and Airwing, a specialised police unit who were only called to assist when “normal officers were experiencing problems”.

Divisional Commissioner of Visible Policing Arno Lamoer said he would miss the ever smiling, unit commander, Teboho Percy Maduna.

Wikus Zaayman, a chopper pilot, was remembered as a dedicated man from the defence force with 3 000 flying hours. Zaayman took part in the Mozambique flood rescue operation a few years ago and also flew senior police officers in the same chopper to the Fifa World Cup opening ceremony.

Airborne law enforcement officer, Tinus Gouws, was remembered as a quiet, dedicated Airwing officer who loved animals, even snakes.

Colin Edward Davids, originally from Namibia, “did not stand back to criminals.”

Dirk Cornelis van Aswegen, who had wanted to be a policeman from the age of four, was part of the team which helped to secure a previous cricket match in Kenya.

Jacobus Henning, “never turned back to any challenge” while Daniel Jacob Benjamin de Bruin, had “police blood running through his veins.”

Police were yesterday still conducting DNA tests in order to identify the crash victims. While paying tribute to the “fallen heroes” Cele revealed that in the past 24 hours a total of 15 police officers had been arrested for various crimes, including corruption.

Cele said that it was worrying to lose dedicated officers while other members of the police force were being arrested for committing crimes.

“They take our skills, resources, and go and commit crimes.

“Officers with sins and criminal minds must rise and walk away from the service,” Cele said.