Bedfordview residents remembered fallen hero and Residents Action Group (RAG) reaction officer Nditsheni Simba who was shot and killed while on duty last year.
Residents took part in a 4km family walk on October 27.
Simba was reacting to an alarm activation on Sainsbury Avenue on October 24 last year when he was shot and killed by armed robbers.
Now, a year later, RAG organised the Bedfordview RAG Simba Walk in honour of his bravery.
The walk began at 8am from Belgravia Bowling Club through Bowling, Pines, Van Buuren and King roads, ending at the corner of Bowling and Daws roads.
RAG chairperson Marina Constas said the Bedfordview RAG Simba Walk will be held every year going forward in October to celebrate Simba’s life.
“We need to be mindful about the profound debt of gratitude that we owe him as well as the reaction officers who go out each day to protect us in spite of the dangers,” said Constas.
She said with each step taken on the walk residents embraced the feeling of a community and the sense of unity.
“The way we pay our debt to those who have fallen victim to crime is to continue to deal crushing blows to criminals,” said Constas.
Constas said RAG and the community will continue to strive for a safer and cleaner Bedfordview and serve as a model for other communities to do the same.
“We pay tribute to the memory of a man who died in the course of his duties in protecting Bedfordview residents,” said Constas.
Ward 20 Clr Jill Humphreys also attended to show her support for the local hero.
“The walk was well supported by the community and by our security forces. We have a huge debt of gratitude to these people who patrol our streets at all times to keep us safe,” said Humphreys.
“As we were standing there a swarm of bees gathered and circled before returning to their hive.
“It seemed like a tribute to Simba. An omen of the best kind,” said Humphreys.
The walk was supported by Del Forno restaurant in Bedfordview, which provided pancakes, waffles and coffee after the walk.
