Families of fallen heroes pay emotional tribute to loved ones
Family members of the fallen police officers were inconsolable as they remembered their loved ones at a ceremony on Sunday.
Deputy President David Mabuza paid tribute to the fallen men and women in blue who put their lives on the line to keep South Africans safe.
Mabuza was joined by Police Minister Bheki Cele and National Police Commissioner Khehla Sitole at the annual South African Police Service Commemoration Day at the Union Buildings.
#SAPSMemorial | Inconsolable family member screaming the name of a deceased loved one pic.twitter.com/cjZJzbrQ2e
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) September 1, 2019
The 26 slain police offers will have their names engraved on the national memorial wall at the seat of government.
The aunt of Constable Thokozile Phadziri said the commemoration was befitting of her niece.
ALSO READ: Mabuza to families of fallen officers: Your pain is our pain
The 40-year-old Phadziri - who was stationed at the Atteridgeville Police Station - was the only woman to be killed in the past year.
She had been with the police force for 10 years and died in December - succumbing to injuries from a horrific accident.
#SAPSMemorial | The aunt of the late Constable Thokozile Phadziri says the Commemoration service was befitting pic.twitter.com/SKb083MKLM
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) September 1, 2019
Helen Kekae - the wife of late Constable Samuel Kekae – said she wants the police to find the two people who killed her husband.
The 59-year-old was inspecting holding cells at the Letlhabile Police station when two inmates disarmed and shot him.
Helen said she still loves her husband is saddened by his death.
The wife of Warrant Officer Samuel Kekaye calls on the police to find the two me who killed her husband last year in August. She says he was a friendly man who always called her 'baby' and she will miss him dearly pic.twitter.com/s53sYFhz5W
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) September 1, 2019
Neliswa Bhutheleze, daughter of slain 36-year-old Sibonise, said it hurt seeing other officers don the blue uniform without her father being present.
Buthelezi responded to an armed robbery complaint at KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal when his team was ambushed.
Neliswa said she is happy her father was honoured along with other police heroes.
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