WO Malane Andries Gopane will be remembered as a passionate and dedicated officer.
Gopane died on July 30 after a short illness.
The 53-year-old was born in Free State and moved to Gauteng to begin his career within the SAPS in 1986.
He started his career at the Daveyton SAPS in 1986 and then he joined the Etwatwa SAPS in 1994 when the new station opened.
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His colleagues at the Etwatwa SAPS described him as a dedicated and committed officer who always put others before himself.
The Etwatwa SAPS Park station commander, Col Molatelo Maoto, said they are shattered by Gopane’s death.
“He will surely be remembered for his passion, discipline, dedication, loyalty and for the commitment he showed to the organisation,” said Maoto.
“Gopane was one member who served the community wholeheartedly; he would go an extra mile in serving the community regardless of the day or time.
“He practised community policing with a passion through forming community patrollers and coordinating them, in partnership with the Department of Community Safety and Gauteng Department of Education.”
“Gopane was passionate about drilling. He formed a majorette’s drill team where he taught the members from the station and community patrollers the sport.”
His brother Labane Moeketsi said the family will miss Gopane’s humanity, his sense of humour and the love he had for his family, especially his children.
“He was a dedicated police officer who was always willing to serve the community and he was loved by everyone,” said the brother.
The station commander added that it will be quite difficult for him to get someone of such a calibre to fill Gopane’s boots.
Gopane leaves behind his four children and one grandchild. The Etwatwa SAPS officers did a drive-by memorial service on August 5. He will be buried on August 7.
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