By Johnathan Paoli
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has condemned the killing of police officers as “an attack on the State itself,” declaring it unacceptable and vowing that such crimes will be met with the full might of the law.
Officiating on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa at the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) annual Commemoration Day in Pretoria, Mashatile honoured the 27 officers who died in the line of duty between April 2024 and March this year, calling them “heroes and heroines” whose sacrifices embody the high cost of South Africa’s safety and democracy.
“Each year we commemorate this event, my heart is weighed down with sorrow. To the families gathered here, especially the spouses and children, your pain is our pain. Your parents died as heroes and heroines, and their sacrifices are acknowledged by the whole country,” Mashatile said.
Mashatile drew attention to the scale of police killings, revealing that 66 officers had been killed in just two years, 39 last year and 27 this year.
“These statistics are alarming. They reveal the merciless nature of the criminals you confront. Attacking a police officer is an attack on the state itself and it will be met with the full might of the law,” he warned.
He committed the government to strengthening SAPS resources, investing in intelligence, specialised units, and advanced technology.
He also called for laws to be tightened so that criminals targeting police officers face the harshest possible punishment.
“We must not allow ruthless acts by criminals to continue. When we protect those who protect us, we protect the very soul of our democracy,” he declared.
Mashatile also addressed reports of collusion between officers and criminals, urging the police to root out wrongdoing within their own ranks.
“We must promote openness, accountability, and integrity within the South African Police Service. Trust must be rebuilt through professionalism, respect, and compassion,” he said.
Acting Police Minister, Professor Firoz Cachalia, opened the ceremony with a reminder that the event was not only about remembrance but also renewal of commitment.
“Each year, on the first Sunday of September, we remember our brave men and women who paid the ultimate price. Their names are not merely carved in stone but etched in the conscience of the nation,” he said.
Cachalia declared September as Police Safety Month and urged officers to take care of one another.
“Look after each other’s safety and where you see shortcomings, speak up. As citizens, let us support the men and women in blue who continue to serve with integrity and bravery so that South Africa may be a safer, more just country for all,” he added.
National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, expressed gratitude to Mashatile for his presence and “deeply moving address,” calling it a clear statement that the highest office in the land recognised the sacrifices of police officers.
“To the bereaved families, no words can fill the void left by your loved ones. But we commit to you that their sacrifice will never be forgotten. You remain part of the SAPS family,” Masemola said.
He praised the SAPS Education Trust for supporting the children of fallen officers, ensuring that “grief is transformed into tangible hope for the future.”
Masemola urged members of SAPS to honour their colleagues by redoubling efforts against crime.
“We cannot cry. We must fight this war which we didn’t start, but we must make sure that we maintain peace,” he said.
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU), while attending the ceremony, voiced frustration that symbolic gestures were not matched with material improvements in the lives of bereaved families.
Spokesperson Richard Mamabolo described it as disheartening that families of fallen heroes and heroines are paraded annually before the public, with minimal change to their conditions.
The death grant of R250,000, unchanged since inception, cannot sustain families or support children’s education.
“Attending ceremonies that annually add names to the wall is not enough,” Mamabolo said.
He called for urgent, practical steps to reduce police killings, including improved protective equipment, psychological support, and fairer compensation for families.
As wreaths were laid and the roll of honour read, the names of 27 officers were engraved on the wall at the Union Buildings, with the deputy president concluding his address with a call for unity.
“As we lower our heads in remembrance, let us lift our resolve through action. Let us stand united against those who threaten the peace of our nation. The memory of our fallen heroes will not fade, and their legacy endures in the safety of our communities and the freedom of our democracy,” he said.
INSIDE POLITICS