Kempton police officer dies
Remembered by many as a disciplined but good-hearted policeman, his colleagues had nothing but positive memories of him
FELLOW SAPS members gathered at Maranatha Community Church on Wednesday to remember their beloved colleague, W/O Frans Mathole.
Mathole (53) died on September 22 after being admitted to Arwyp the day before. He had been experiencing flu-like symptoms, which became worse, and was admitted for medical care.
“The morning after he was admitted to hospital, he passed away,” Kempton SAPS spokesperson Capt Jethro Mtshali explained.
His family members, including his wife and children, also attended the service at the Glen Marais church.
Remembered by many as a disciplined but good-hearted policeman, his colleagues had nothing but positive memories of him.
Const Tiny Lehlomela spoke of his kindness when, while serving as a student constable several years ago, she was stranded on the side of the road in Van Riebeeck Park.
“It was raining and I was desperate because I didn’t know the area well. I scrolled through my phone and called the first name I recognised, that of W/O Mathole. He came to my rescue and drove me home.
“That might not have been a big deal but it taught me that no matter how small a gesture, it’s the thought behind it that counts,” Lehlomela told the room of policemen and women.
Station commander Brig Samuel Maredi remembered him as a dedicated and committed official.
“I first met him during a site visit when I was still new as station commander, so we didn’t know each other well. I wasn’t wearing my uniform and we happened to pass each other and he didn’t recognise me. When he realised his mistake he turned around, came back to me and apologised for not acknowledging me,” Maredi recalled.
“He was a disciplined officer who always rectified his mistakes.”
He also loved his family, supported them and was always with them, Maredi said. He had also completed various internal courses through the police service because he wanted to develop himself so he could deliver his work excellently.
“I learned a lot from him in the few months we worked together.”
Mathole served in the SAPS for 26 years, starting as a special constable in 1991 and becoming permanent in 1994. In 1999 he became a sergeant and in 2015 became warrant officer.
From 1991 to 1992 he was stationed at OR Tambo SAPS and from 1994 until 2003 at Germiston SAPS. He joined Kempton SAPS in 2004 and had been with them since.
“The passing of WO Mathole has come as a great shock because just last week he was fit as a fiddle. We would like to thank him and his family for the contribution he has made to the community,” visible policing head Col Steven Moodley said.
He is survived by his wife Dimakatso and three grown children. He will be buried in his home town of Pietersburg, Limpopo.
