VIDEO: Brakpan remembers a ‘gentle giant’ of the justice system
Friends, colleagues and community members gathered to honour Advocate Dick Hattingh, remembering him for his integrity, humility, generosity and commitment to serving others.
Advocate Diederick Hattingh, a well-respected member of the Brakpan community and head control prosecutor at the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court, was remembered on August 16 in a touching memorial service.
The service was held at the Brakpan Rugby Club, where colleagues and friends recalled a man of integrity, humility and generosity who had a kind, gentle heart.
Fondly known as Dick, Hattingh died on August 10 at the age of 54.
Advocate Pieter Wilkins led the service as friends and colleagues delivered tributes, remembered meeting Hattingh, and gave personal anecdotes.
Drummond Doig, a member of the community who worked closely with Hattingh, said that memorials are usually very sombre, sad occasions, but that he wants to remember Hattingh in a positive light.
“He was the personification of access to the judiciary for ordinary people. It’s usually an institution separate from the public; he was a gateway,” Doig said.
Simon Mabuse, the acting chairperson of the Brakpan CPF, remembers Hattingh as a born leader who was always willing to give of himself and make himself available in service of the community.
“Today our hearts are heavy with grief, but we take comfort in the fact that Mr Hattingh is resting in the arms of the Lord. His legacy of service and compassion will live on in the community he served,” Mabuse said.
Warrant officers Maud Strydom and Faith Ntuli represented Brakpan SAPS, having worked with Hattingh on numerous occasions over the years. Strydom was overcome with emotion, saying that his passing has left a great void.
“He demonstrated exceptional commitment. He was always willing to assist the detectives, provide guidance and share valuable experience,” she said.
“He was always available. He took time to assist with difficult investigations and ensured cases were properly prepared for successful prosecution. Your legacy will live on in the detectives you trained and the many lives you’ve touched.”
Ntuli added, “It’s hard to say goodbye to Dick. I started working with him in 2021 through domestic violence programmes.
“He guided with integrity. All the squatter camps knew Mr Hattingh. He always wore a white shirt even when they went to dusty areas. I always told the community to go to room 19; he will help. I’m heartbroken.”
Johanna Malaza from the EMPD said: “It is so sad to be standing here today. Today we gather to bid farewell to our fallen giant. It’s a very sad day to us all. I’m on pension, but I had to come because of our relationship with Mr Hattingh.
“Brakpan lost a great man. He was always humble and strong, and always wore a smile. When I first met him, he was the opposite of what I expected.
“I faced many storms in the office; through all those storms, Mr Hattingh always held an umbrella for me. He never let me feel like he was my senior.
“I feel robbed of an opportunity to give him his flowers while he could still smell them.”
Clement Motshana co-chaired the Brakpan Stakeholders Forum with Hattingh, a forum focused on awareness campaigns in Brakpan at schools, malls, and through door-to-door programmes about bullying, domestic violence, and GBVF.
“There was a lot that I learned working with him, a very humble man. At one point, I stepped down from the role of chairperson, and he continued the work, but he would still ask for assistance despite his experience.
“That shows how humble he was. We used to talk about a lot of things, painful and good; he gave personal advice.
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“He always wanted to give, used to pay out of his own pocket for programmes, often sponsoring the whole thing,” Motshana said.
Refiloe Selahle worked with Hattingh through the City of Ekurhuleni Women’s Directorate, and met him through the stakeholders forum.
“He was a kind, generous person, a giver, a person of peace and a good listener. He was not a person of squabbles; he just wanted peace. He’d give generous donations, but didn’t like the spotlight.
“He wanted to give in the background. He pushed for GBVF awareness and door-to-door awareness campaigns all the time,” she said.
Attorney Gerhard Nel remembers Hattingh as a man with integrity.
“He was a straight arrow, a man you could trust, who would listen and give advice. He would not compromise what he believed was right. I believe he is looking down and proud,” he said.
“He was a man who stood by his principles and could not be bought. He made a difference in the criminal justice system, to the people who worked with him, and to the people who passed through his office.”
Nel especially remembers how Hattingh treated his mother, citing it as a clear sign of the kind of person he was.
“When his mom called, his whole demeanour would change, and you could hear the love in his voice,” he said.
Advocate Charles de Beer remembers him as an honest, hardworking person who never held a grudge.
Nokuthula Ntshangase from the Department of Justice said: “This is a very emotional moment for us as officials.
“If I were a poet, I would say a gentle giant has fallen. We have lost a man of integrity and humility, and one from whom I learned a lot.
“Since I came to Brakpan in 2015, I had the chance to work hand-in-hand with him as court manager. I had the chance to see him in the quiet, everyday moments; challenges and meetings all reveal who a person truly is, and he was, without question, one of the finest people I have had the honour to work beside.
“He was gentle in a profession that doesn’t always leave room for gentleness. He loved his job; everyone at Brakpan Court knows that. That was never in doubt. He reminded us that professionalism and kindness are not opposites.
“His chair might be empty, but the mark he left on each of us who had the privilege of knowing him will remain,” she said.
Several more speakers from the court language services, the judiciary, and the NPA also paid tribute.
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