COMMUNITY members from Edleen, Van Riebeek Park (VRP), and other surrounding suburbs, as well as SAPS, metro and K9 unit officers all gathered in their numbers at the Jeugland rugby field on Sunday at 5.30pm to pay tribute and say a prayer in remembrance of one of their own, Martiens Bann (64).
The gathering was organised by Diva D’Andrea (VRP CPF stats and patrol coordinator) as well as Kobus Jonker (PHS COPS reaction officer).
“The aim of the memorial was to get neighborhood watches and community members to come together in honour of Martiens,” she said.
D’Andrea also added that CPF members from Edleen, VRP, Bonaero Park, Bredell, Kempton Park, Norkem Park, Birchleigh and Terenure all showed support and attended the prayer.
“He was a personal family friend and lived in de Villiers Street in Van Riebeek Park for many years before moving to Edleen,” she added.
Chaplain Koerie Brits led the prayer while the MC was Luthando Lubando (chairman of four Kempton Park sectors).
Community members in attendance signed a petition against bail for the six arrested suspects allegedly responsible for the house robbery and hijacking.
Andrew Mosesi (Sebenza CPF chairman) is responsible for drawing up the petition.
Mosesi said petitions had been placed at police stations around Kempton Park.
Clr Jaco Terblanche said Bann was a loved member of the community.
“He helped Edleen for 15 years. I remember when we needed a pointsman on De Wiekus Road for children to cross the road. I asked him and he didn’t hesitate,” said Terblanche.
Family and friends could not hold back the tears as they lit their candles and gave a moment of silence to the fallen hero.
As the chaplain said a prayer, the crowd in unison broke into song, singing the hymn, Amazing Grace.
Lanterns were then released into the sky.
Tributes have been pouring in on Facebook describing Bann as a great man, a hero, a noble man, a wonderful man, a gentleman, a brave man and a friend.
Six suspects are currently detained and one suspect is still at large.
Photographs of the candle lighting service
“WE are stunned by this tragic event and would like to convey our deepest condolences to Martiens’ wife, children and family and his colleagues. His death is a great loss to Edleen CPF and our community,” Chris Viljoen, chairman of Edleen CPF, said.
“Martiens was a dedicated metro police officer and a friend: always ready to help, attending meetings when he could and always ready to respond to a call for help from the CPF and the residents. He loved Edleen and its people and they loved him. His life was dedicated to keeping the residents of Edleen safe, to the end.
“Early this year Sebenza SAPS crime statistics showed an alarming increase in armed robberies and hijackings in Edleen. This has since escalated and progressed to attacks in broad daylight and over weekends when people are at home.
“Edleen CPF urgently requests increased patrols in our area. The one patrol vehicle currently available for the whole of Sector 3, however dedicated, cannot deal with this upsurge in organised crime.
“We also call on all residents to be alert at all times and take the necessary steps to safeguard yourselves and your property.”
