34 police officers who died in line of duty honoured
“Their loss should remind us all as a nation; the importance of community policing partnerships.”
The South African Police Service held the annual commemoration service on Sunday, to show gratitude of the nation to the bravery of the officers who have lost their lives.
Names of 34 police officers were added to the national memorial wall at the Union Buildings as part of the day to honour and pay tribute to police officers and reservists who lost their lives in the line of duty from April 2020 to March 2021.
In line with Covid-19 level 3 regulations, some families of the deceased members were present at the Union Buildings, while the rest of the families, joined the proceedings virtually from other provinces.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, police minister Bheki Cele, national commissioner General Khehla Sitole and the next-of-kin of the fallen heroes and heroines, laid wreaths in honour of the deceased members.
Ministry of police spokesperson Lirandzu Themba said the tributes were an annual event, held on the first Sunday of September.
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“The SAPS dedicates this day in its calendar to remember its men and women in blue who paid the ultimate price to serve and protect all people in South Africa.
“These were members who knew the risks and dangers associated to this vocation, yet they remained committed to the cause of serving and protecting all people within South African borders.”
Ramaphosa called for visible and tangible working relations between the police and communities.
“Criminals live with us and among us in our communities. We must, therefore, work towards strengthening community and police relations and bring strategic stakeholders on board to bolster the efforts of police to bring down levels of serious and violent crime.”
He urged the public to report wrongdoing and criminality within communities.
“I believe that the arrest of one hardened criminal, or even the recovery of one illegal firearm could spare the life of one police officer. Let us civilians get into the habit of reporting crime and making our voices heard. The perpetrators of these attacks on police must be brought to book.”
Cele said the deaths of the 34 members should not be in vain.
“Their loss should remind us all as a nation the importance of community policing partnerships.”
Cele said citizens should no longer be bystanders to crime.
He used the day to extend this remembrance to the families and colleagues of the 852 members who had succumbed to Covid-19-related complications since the outbreak of the pandemic last year.
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