Remembering their lives
The gloomy weather on Friday seemed a fitting background to the memorial service for the four police officials and the truck driver who lost their lives in an explosion on the N1 South between Polokwane and Mokopane recently.
POLOKWANE – The gloomy weather on Friday seemed a fitting background to the memorial service for the four police officials and the truck driver who lost their lives in an explosion on the N1 South between Polokwane and Mokopane recently.
Hundreds of family members, friends and colleagues gathered at Bolivia Lodge to remember the men and share their memories of them.
Also present was national police commissioner, Genl Riah Phiyega who said the families had suffered a great loss and would be assisted in every way possible.
She said the fallen police officials had had 35 years of experience among them and had been dedicated to their work right up to the last heroic moment.
Questions about the circumstances surrounding the explosion were also asked, with many people wanted to know why and how an unaccompanied truck without warning signs was allowed to carry explosives in the first place.
Speaking on behalf of two of the families, Freddy Mohale said the families were angry as they felt the loss of lives could have been prevented.
He said the families felt the deaths were caused by negligence and ignorance.
Riaan Nel, son of the truck driver who died, was just one of many people who broke down during the service.
He and his brother, Ian jnr. thanked the families of the fallen police officials who died trying to save their father.
Some bereaved family members had to be escorted and even carried out of the hall after being overcome by grief.
