PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa says the country will never forget police officers who gave up their lives protecting the public while performing vital tasks such as foiling robberies, quelling rioters and marshalling protests.
He was paying tribute to 34 police officers who died in the line of duty during the annual commemoration ceremony at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Ramaphosa called on all South Africans to join in the fight against crime, saying the men and women in blue can’t do it alone.
He said police officers cannot continue to die at the hands of criminals.
The president urged families to remember they served with honour and distinction.
“They were colleagues, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, loving fathers, caring mothers, neighbours and friends,” said Ramaphosa.
“They are and will continue to be deeply missed.”
Ramaphosa said selflessness is at the centre of every police officer’s calling.
“The passing of these heroes and heroines in the line of duty must sharpen the resolve of those who remain in the police service to proudly and bravely continue the noble cause to guarantee the safety and security of all South Africans.”
Over 850 SAPS members have succumbed to COVID-19 related illnesses
Police Minister Bheki Cele says 852 members of the South African Police Service have succumbed to COVID-19 related complications.
This year’s event is honouring the men and women in blue who lost their lives in the line of duty between April last year and 31 March this year.
The president called on the police to implement the Police Safety Strategy and – within the confines of the law –defend their own lives and the lives of our law abiding citizens.
“It is because of structures such as the Community Police Forums that police, the SANDF and other law enforcement agencies were able to contain the violence and looting that erupted in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in July,” said Ramaphosa.
“Criminals live with us and among us in our communities.
We must therefore work towards strengthening community-police relations and bring strategic stakeholders on board to bolster the efforts of police to bring down the levels of serious and violent crime.”
He added: “I believe that the arrest of one hardened criminal, or even the recovery of one illegal firearm could spare the life of one police officer.”
- Inside Politics
