Police officer buried on National Police Day
KwaZulu-Natal SAPS bid farewell to police officer who was recently killed on the M7.
A LOCAL police officer who was killed on the M7 was buried on National Police Day, which was commemorated on January 27.
Constable Nosipho Zuma from Hammarsdale, who was stationed at the Belair Police Station, was killed when a truck ploughed into an accident scene she was attending to on the M7 highway on January 17.
Also read:UPDATE: M7 accident claims life of female police officer
Led by police minister General Bheki Cele and the national commissioner of the Police Service, General Fannie Masemola, Zuma was laid to rest at the Hammarsdale Community Hall.
According to SAPS, National Police Day serves as an opportunity to appreciate the sacrifices that our men and women in blue have made, and continue to make, as they provide safety for all who live in South Africa.
“The ministry remains very encouraged that over R6 million has been raised through pledges by South African corporates and businesses, which will go towards the South African Police Education Trust Fund (SAPSET) and cover all educational needs of the children of fallen members,” they stated.
While addressing the mourners at the funeral, Minister Cele emphasised the importance of taking care of those left behind as Zuma left behind two young children.
Also read: Fatal accident leads to closure of M7
“Constable Zuma is one of the scores of officers who perished while at work, leaving behind husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, loving parents, colleagues, neighbours, friends and most significantly, they leave behind sons and daughters. In the midst of the tragedy, the least we can do is take care of the children.”
National commissioner General Masemola echoed the same sentiment, saying the police death grant afforded to all members of the SAPS who are killed while at work has been increased from R250 000 to R300 000 for lower-ranking members who are often at the coalface of policing hazards.
The SAPS has lost 140 police officers in the last four years. Thirty-three members have been killed in the line of duty since January 2023 to date.
For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
