Vereeniging trio among 34 slain officers commemorated at SAPS National Commemoration Day
Captain Shashape Theletsane (59), Warrant Officer Aaron Mfazwe (54), and Constable Timothy Mbhele (46) who lost their lives when their vehicle was struck by a truck in Steelpark when also honoured during SAPS National Commemoration Day.
SEDIBENG – South African Police Service (SAPS) paid tribute to the dedicated police officers and reservists who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty during the period from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023.
Among the fallen heroes were three officers from the Vereeniging police station, whose lives were tragically cut short in a horrific crash last year.
Captain Shashape Theletsane (59), Warrant Officer Aaron Mfazwe (54), and Constable Timothy Mbhele (46) lost their lives when their vehicle was struck by a truck in Steelpark while they were carrying out their duties.
#PoliceMinistry [READ] Speaker notes by the Minister of Police General, Bheki Cele at the annual #SAPS National Commemoration Day, held today at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. #FinalSalute #SAPSMemorial MEhttps://t.co/zxBQkZd1cx pic.twitter.com/tlmGwISm8v
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 3, 2023
Their names, along with those of 31 other brave officers, were engraved on the Memorial Wall at the Union Buildings during the SAPS National Commemoration Day event on Sunday, 03 September.
Families and loved ones of the fallen officers gathered at the Union Buildings for a wreath-laying ceremony to honor and remember the sacrifices made by these dedicated individuals.
Alongside the bereaved families, Mzansi President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minister of Defence and Chair of the Cluster; Mme Thandi Modise, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Minister Lamola, among other ministers graced the event.
#sapsHQ [READ] President Rampaphosa commends the arrests of 488 suspects arrested for police murders since 2018. The #SAPS held its Annual National Commemoration Day to honour and pay tribute to police officers and reservists who lost their lives in the line of duty from 01… pic.twitter.com/56mgdQKaLL
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 3, 2023
Police Minister, Bheki Cele said, “We hope that today’s ceremony doesn’t open your wounds but rather, that it brings you comfort and closure. we hope today’s proceedings bring closure and comfort and that the event is to your satisfaction.”
Delivering a keynote address, Ramaphosa said attacks on police officers must come to an end and that there must be justice for the families of our fallen heroes and heroines.
“The hard work of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, known as the Hawks, has resulted in the arrest of 76 suspected police murderers over the past year. These cases are currently before different courts. A total of 488 suspects have been arrested for the deaths of police officers since 2018. Through diligent investigative work, nine convicted police killers were handed down nine life sentences, a sum total of 158 years imprisonment,” he said.
The proceedings of the day culminated with the President engaging with the bereaved families where he shared words of comfort and support to each family member.
