North heroic cop will be missed

Tributes have continued to stream in for Pretoria North police officer Warrant Officer Stoffel Holtzhausen who died in an accident last week.

“Our hearts are broken. We didn’t just lose another SAPS member, we lost Stoffel – a teacher, guardian angel and, most importantly, a friend,” Pretoria North Crisis Centre’s Carina Bam said.

“His passion for kids, broken people and our community was clearly visible in his everyday life.”

Bam, who also offered a final salute to her friend, further said his selflessness would always be remembered.

“At the end of a long and difficult day when you ask him how he does it, his response was what is written on the board behind my desk – Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Public relations officer for Pretoria North sector 2 Nikki de Jager echoed a similar sentiment about Holtzhausen’s dedication.

“He was always there when you needed him – day or night and even when he was off-duty,” she said.

“He was wonderful with kids and they loved him dearly as he was their hero.”

De Jager further lauded his dedication to his family.

“He loved his family very much and always spoke highly of his wife and how proud he was of his kids,” she said.

Holtzhausen was also commended for always wearing a smile and being a “wonderful” manager of the sector 1 CPF.

“The Pretoria North sector has suffered a major loss,” de Jager said.

Sinoville police spokesperson Warrant Officer John van Dyk said Holtzhausen’s loss was not only sad for his family, but the police force as well.

“Our condolences to his family and the station. They are in our prayers and thoughts following this tragedy,” he said.

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Meanwhile, Tshwane MMC Dana Wannenburg said Hotlzhausen, who was also referred to as 24/7, was always there for the community.

“He was always assisting the community and was even the face of the police in Pretoria North,” he said.

Wannenburg said news of his passing in the accident came as a shock and he would be dearly missed in the Pretoria North area.

“His involvement in the community will be missed. We will miss his face and seeing him when there is an accident scene because he won’t be there anymore,” Wannenburg said.

“It’s a big loss for us all in Pretoria North, but I think he died proud at that scene – in his uniform, on his bike. Something that he loved.”

Holtzhausen was remembered during a memorial service at the Noordlikse sports ground on Saturday.

He served for 27 years as a police officer and was stationed at the Pretoria North police station for 21 years before the fatal accident.

Details remain unclear, but it was understood that Holtzhausen was on his way to a scene on his bike when a pedestrian reportedly walked in front of him and caused him to swerve and hit a tree.

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