The slain Warrant Officer Sibusiso Ndlovu (48), from the Cleveland SAPS, was described as one of the bravest officers of the station.
The Cleveland SAPS station commander, Colonel Bongani Dlamini, made the statement during W/O Ndlovu’s memorial service which was held at the Hillbrow SAPS on Wednesday.
W/O Ndlovu was killed following a shoot out between the police and suspects next to the Jeppe Hostel on July 11 at about 5am.
He was providing backup to the Jeppe SAPS who was attending to a robbery in progress.
He was shot twice in the neck and certified dead on arriving at the hospital.
Col Dlamini said he had known W/O Ndlovu since the early 1990s.
He added that he knew him beyond their work environment.
“He was one of the bravest members. When there was a crime reported, he would respond immediately. Or you would hear on the radio that there was an incident and by the time you arrived, he would already be there. Only after achieving successes by making arrests, would he inform the seniors of the arrests,” said Col Dlamini.
He added that W/O Ndlovu was a good influence on his colleagues.
“He would groom the team he was working with. Once you put people around him, he would make them walk his walk. He was a dedicated member who loved his work. You could see that even in his dress code. He always had his bulletproof vest on. Even when I arrived at hospital on that fateful morning, I saw it, to show that he was wearing it. Maybe that is because he knew the dangers we are working with,” said Col Dlamini.
W/O Ndlovu’s shift commander, Warrant Officer Phineas Makola, said W/O Ndlovu never ignored a call for help from his colleagues, even from surrounding stations.
“When on duty, he would listen to all (police communication) radios in Johannesburg. On the day, I heard the Jeppe SAPS officers calling for help. Within minutes, I heard him responding and saying he and his partner were on their way. That is the kind of person he was,” said W/O Makola.
He said W/O Ndlovu’s death has left a void in the community.
“The community of Cleveland and its surroundings where he served will be poorer due to his death. He is irreplaceable and incomparable. We lost a great man,” said W/O Makola.
His brother, Mr Musa Ndlovu, called on the community to work with the police to fight crime.
“It is painful that bread winners perish at the hands of criminals. I like what one of the speakers said here. He called on all of us to work with the police. We can conquer the fight against criminals if we can join hands and work with the police,” said Mr Ndlovu.
W/O Ndlovu joined the SAPS in 1991. From the following year, he served at the Cleveland SAPS until his death.
He received a medal for Ten Years of Loyal Service, the Ten Years Commemoration Medal, a 20 Years Loyal Service award and a 2010 Soccer Medal.
He is survived by his wife, four children and his mother.
