Final goodbyes at heroic supercop’s funeral
“Your death was so sudden and unexpected. Your time was much too short."
The final goodbyes from the family and colleagues of Pretoria North’s beloved Warrant Officer Abraham Christoffel “Stoffel” Holtzhausen were said during an emotional funeral service on Friday.
The service was held at the Empower Church in Akasia, north of Pretoria.
“Our words are few, but our tears are many,” a tribute from Holtzhausen’s colleagues Adrie and Anton read.
“All we can say is that we are going to miss you terribly.”
In their tribute, the duo reminisced on how they became good friends who were able to share their deepest secrets and fears with him over the years.
Other tributes from his sister-in-law Lydia, sidekick Anet, Willie and Evette touched on how shattered they were over his passing, how they would miss the police officer who was often described as a hero and supercop by community members and the fond memories they shared.
Holtzhausen’s widow Geraldine, in her tribute, questioned how she would say goodbye after the years they had spent together, adding that her heart was shattered and she did not know if she would ever be able to go on without him.
“Your death was so sudden and unexpected. Your time was much too short,” she said, adding that they had so many dreams and things they wanted to do, but now they were just thought that would not come to pass.
“You were my rock and my compass which always knew where to go. You gave me direction when I didn’t know where to go. I am going to miss you so much.”
The couple was together for 26 years and married for 22 of them and had two children.
The couple’s children Christo and Anje said they would miss their father terribly as they had thought they would have more years together.
“What happened to you on Friday evening was tragic and unexpected. I lost more than a father that evening – I lost a friend, hero, supporter and excellent braai master.
“I will always miss your braai-meat and advice,” Christo said, adding that he knew would father was always there to guide him whenever he felt lost.
Anje said she did not even know where to begin saying goodbye to her father when she still expected more years with him.
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Meanwhile, Brigadier Kgoadi who spoke on behalf of the Tshwane district and was also the former station commander at Pretoria North, said police officers of Holtzhausen’s calibre reinforced public confidence in the police service.
“To the family, I want to say, your loss is our loss. We have lost a hero,” she said, adding that Holtzhausen’s blood was indeed blue as he did not work simply to put bread on the table.
Pretoria North police station’s Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson Makua said Holtzhausen was always dedicated, energetic, committed and disciplined.
“Thank you for sharing him,” he told the family.
After the formalities, police held a military-style funeral service for Holtzhausen where the South African flag and his police hat were handed over to Geraldine.
Holtzhausen passed away last week in an accident after he swerved his motorbike to avoid a pedestrian and subsequently hit a tree and had served in the police service for 27 years of which 21 he spent stationed at Pretoria North.
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