‘Is it still worth it?’: Stabbed officer’s plea sparks national reckoning
After surviving a brutal stabbing, a South African police officer’s heartfelt message lays bare the emotional and physical toll of life on the front lines.
A deeply emotional message from a wounded police officer has sent shockwaves through communities across South Africa, reigniting a national conversation about the daily dangers law enforcement officers face and the immense sacrifices they make in service of the public.
The officer, stabbed in the line of duty, shared a photograph of his bloodied police shirt alongside a message that began with a haunting question: “Is it still worth it?”
In his post, the unnamed officer wrote: “This is my police shirt, and that is my blood. There are still so many sincere policemen and women out here, but it is us, the ones who put our lives on the line and walk the right path, who are hurt or even killed out here.”
His words speak to a growing sense of frustration and despair within the South African Police Service (SAPS), where many officers feel unappreciated, under-resourced and increasingly at risk, often while serving communities that turn against them.
A former captain’s fear realised
In an exclusive interview with the Alberton Record, retired SAPS captain Manare Ramotshela, who served for four decades, revealed that one of his biggest fears throughout his career was returning home in a coffin, leaving his family behind.
“Many of us counted down the days to early retirement, not because we stopped caring, but because South Africa has become more dangerous for police officers than ever before,” Ramotshela said.
“You put your life on the line for people, and sometimes they are the very ones who would kill you.”
Shocking statistics
SAPS Director of Media Relations, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, confirmed to the Alberton Record that 393 police officers were killed in the line of duty, both on and off duty, between April 2021 and March 2024.
“These attacks and killings are a serious challenge. We are losing the very people meant to fight crime and instead find ourselves investigating the murders of our own members,” she said.
The hidden toll on officers
The officer’s message also exposed the emotional and psychological toll of police work.
He described how officers often retreat into silence, struggling to process the trauma they witness.
“There are times when all these things we see daily play out in front of us again. We go into a world of our own, and those around us do not understand,” he wrote.
He also criticised government and SAPS leadership, stating: “Those who are supposed to support us fail us badly. Many of our tools are outdated or no longer work. We fight so hard, but for what?”
An oath at a cost
Despite taking an oath to protect and serve, many officers now find themselves policing communities that harbour resentment or hostility towards them.
The Alberton Record made repeated attempts to contact Alberton and Brackendowns SAPS for comment, but calls went unanswered.
The human behind the badge
The officer concluded his message with a plea that reminded readers of the humanity behind the uniform:
“We are also just human. We have families waiting for us to come home. We are someone’s dad, mother, brother, sister. Pray for us. We need it.”
A call for national support
As this story continues to develop, it is clear the officer’s message is more than a personal cry for help. It echoes the pain, fatigue and resilience of thousands within SAPS.
For now, the officer is recovering, but his words remain raw, honest and urgent.
This is a developing story. If you or someone you know is a SAPS member willing to speak anonymously about the challenges facing local law enforcement, please contact our newsroom on 010 971 3452 or email lonwabok@caxton.co.za.
