Police honour slain Garsfontein officer
Constable Tsietsi Teffo (37) was killed while responding to a crime on the corner of Garsfontein and Rubenstein streets a week ago.
Family, friends and colleagues met at the Hatfield Christian Church in Pretoria on Thursday in honour of the Garsfontein police officer who was recently killed in the line of duty.
Constable Tsietsi Teffo (37) was killed while responding to a crime on the corner of Garsfontein and Rubenstein streets a week ago.
He was killed allegedly by a man he and his colleagues were arresting for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
“On arrival, the officers approached the suspect who started throwing stones at them. On trying to apprehend the suspect, the suspect managed to grab Teffo’s firearm and fatally wounded him,” said police spokesperson Brenda Muridili.
“The other officers managed to retaliate wherein the suspect was shot and wounded.”
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Tsietsi’s brother Thabiso said the family was struggling to come to terms with the loss, but had accepted his death.
“Accidents do happen to all of us. We should just accept, but never forget, what happened,” he said.
“We should carry on with our lives but never forget that legends are never forgotten.”
He described his brother as a true leader and soldier who always tried to make a difference in the community.
“He was very special to me. He played a major role in my life and he made a huge difference to many,” said Thabiso.
“He will not be forgotten, but let peace fall unto us so that we put it in the past.”
A colleague and friend, constable Martin Dutja, spoke of the memories he and the Teffo shared while serving the community of Garsfontein.
Having worked with Teffo for 11 years Dutja described him as an understanding person who was sometimes very tough when necessary.
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“I met Tsietsi at SAPS college and we became friends since 2009. He was not just a colleague, but someone I looked up to. We became very close brothers in a short period of time,” he said.
“We lost a loyal and hard-working person, who was a team worker and always willing to help at any time. He is leaving a big gap in the SAPS family.
“I thought I would be giving a speech at a different event like his anniversary. It is pity we did not know what life held for us.”
South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) Tshwane regional chairperson Lesiba Mehala said police were at risk of being killed while on duty.
“Police officers are robbed of their lives while on duty, and nothing is being done about it. We are heading towards being a country where the murder of police officers will become a norm.”
READ MORE: Gunned down east police officer identified
He said that Section 49 of the constitution needed to be revised to protect police officers and give less rights to perpetrators.
“Police officers’ lives are threatened. Police officers should be allowed to shoot back at criminals who pose a danger to their lives,” Mehala said.
“Police officers should be fully armed at all times, so that they can protect themselves.”
Tshwane District Commissioner Daniel Mthombeni said community safety was under threat, but reassured members of the community that crime fighting was still top of the agenda.
“Joint efforts by the community and the SAPS are needed to fight crime,” said Mthombeni.
“We call upon all communities and organisations to join hands on this matter and expose the criminals.”
A man has since been arrested for Teffo’s killing and will face a charge of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
Teffo will be buried at the Zandfontein cemetery in Pretoria West.
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