Bheki Cele to pay tribute to officer who died in Hluhluwe CIT heist

POLICE Minister Bheki Cele will on Saturday pay tribute to a SAPS member who fell to his death during a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist in eMfekayi earlier this month.

In a solemn response to the rising challenges faced by law enforcement, the Police Ministry has expressed deep concern for the safety of police officers throughout South Africa.

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The SAPS has been tirelessly combatting criminal activities to ensure community safety, yet the beginning of the new year has witnessed a distressing surge in attacks on both on- and off-duty officers, said the ministry.

According to the ministry, since January last year, a staggering 33 police officers have lost their lives in the line of duty.

“This grim statistic encompasses the tragic demise of an officer associated with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), who fell victim to a fatal encounter with cash-in-transit suspects.

“On 2 January 2024, Warrant Officer Gama Cele met his untimely demise during a harrowing shoot-out with a CIT gang in the rugged terrain of Hluhluwe,” said the ministry in a statement.

Cele, alongside Major General Lesetja Senona, the provincial head of DPCI in KZN, will pay their respects to Warrant Officer Gama Cele during his funeral service on Saturday at his Ifracombe homestead in uMkomaas.

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