LIMPOPO – Members of the police, family, friends and the community at large bid farewell to Det Serg Mpfariseni Hamilton Nemahadani (44), who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, on Saturday.
He was laid to rest at his home village in Vleifontein in the Bandelierkop policing precinct in Vhembe.
The national commissioner of the South African Police Service, Gen Fannie Masemola officiated the funeral, accompanied by provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe and SAPS senior management.
In delivering the eulogy, Masemola said just like the Nemahadani family, the police are devastated by the death of their colleague, “especially because of the circumstances surrounding his untimely death. Nemahadani took great pleasure in his work and always ensured he gave 100% at all times. He never tolerated any criminality because he understood the oath he took to serve and protect all people in South Africa. He was dedicated to serving his country through his skills by ensuring he enforces law and order. In performing his duties, he was guided by the needs of the community.”
Masemola assured the family and community members that the police were working around the clock to apprehend the remaining suspect associated with the business robbery at Tsianda village that led to Nemahadani’s death.
“We have mobilised maximum resources to track the suspect who escaped. We will not rest until he is caught and we will ensure he faces the full might of the law. We will be speaking with our colleagues at the National Prosecuting Authority that bail must be opposed too. An attack on a police officer is an attack on the authority of the state.”
He vowed that the police will not be deterred in their quest to fight crime.
“The increase in the killings of police officers whether on or off duty, demonstrates the level of desperation of criminals to remove any obstacle that is in the way of their criminal intent. Yet, as the SAPS, we cannot afford to lose the fight against crime, especially because we are the first line of defence when criminals threaten the safety of citizens. To keep the legacy of our fallen hero alive, I call upon all police officers to ensure that Sergeant Mpfariseni Hamilton Nemahadani’s death is not in vain. We must remain steadfast in our resolve to rid criminals from our communities and put them behind bars where they belong. The sergeant left us with a great responsibility of ensuring that law and order in our country is not compromised. In his memory, we cannot afford to let him down, which is why we need to ensure we win the fight against crime.”
Nemahadani passed away on May 3 after he was shot while responding to a business robbery.
“Together with his crew, they pursued the armed suspects who had already fled the scene, until they intercepted them at Tshakhuma village where a shootout ensued.”
