Honouring brave men in blue at Umhlali SAPS

The Umhlali SAPS courtyard was transformed into a touching remembrance service for former policemen as they celebrated National Police Day last Sunday.

A list of 84 names was presented of the policemen who died in recent years – some of natural causes, while others were murdered while on duty.

Umhlali SAPS spokesperson captain Vinny Pillay said they wished to pay tribute to their special fallen heroes.

“May God grant their families strength. Rest in peace our warrior. Your work is done, but your spirit is never forgotten because your legacy will always live on,” said Pillay.

Community Police Forum chairperson Dr Zungu reminded guests how important it is to work together in the fight against crime in order to live in peace.

“In the words of Martin Luther King junior: We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

KwaDukuza station commander brigadier Sbongile Mhlongo gave the policemen from the various stations in the KwaDukuza cluster seven life lessons to keep them motivated in their tough jobs:

1. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil your present.
2. What others think of you is none of your business.
3. Time heals everything – give it time.
4. Don’t compare yourself with others and judge them – you have no idea what their journey is all about.
5. Stop thinking too much – it is alright not to know everything.
6. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
7. Smile, you don’t own all the problems.

Special guest, pensioner Marcel Jacobs, founder of Helping Hands and a volunteer at the trauma unit, said she wished the community would support the police.

“You do so much for us and without your dedicated, loving work we would be nothing.”

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