Six cops gunned down in May – Cele

Nel was shot and killed on 2 May by a suspect in the court passages in Motherwell while on duty.

To date, six police officers have been killed whilst on duty during the month of May.

Nel has left behind his wife and four young children.

Police minister Bheki Cele told those in attendance that Nel was an asset to the state.

“May the family walk tall, this kind of funeral and this kind of flag does not go for everybody, even for me it is not guaranteed. This flag means one thing to this young man sleeping here, means he is a national asset and not just an ordinary human being, he is a human being that is claimed by the nation.”

Cele again urged the police not to hesitate when facing criminals.

“When the criminal takes out the firearm, the next thing is a dead body, and that dead body is yours. Six police officers have been killed since the start of May and you want to tell me that we shouldn't call on the police to be more decisive on these matters.

“When the time comes, and a choice must be made, I think that time has come for the SAPS and all law-abiding and law-loving South Africans to work together to squeeze criminality.

“We can squeeze criminality, as you are sitting here there are criminals that are known, some of them are from your houses, some of them you are dating, some of them you know that when you are sleeping in one bed there is an illegal firearm under the pillow.”

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