Brakpan police are mourning the loss of another of their own after Covid-19 claimed the life of admin clerk Nonhlanhla Patricia Chauke.
Known as Noni to her colleagues, Chauke died on July 27. The 43-year-old Springs resident had 19 years’ service with the SAPS at the time of her death.
She started her career in 2002 and worked at the Olifantsfontein, Daveyton and Putfontein police stations before joining Brakpan in 2012.
Colleague Narena McKeever, who worked with Chauke for about five years, told the Herald the reality of Chauke’s death has not set in.
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“We are still trying to deal with it. We are waiting for her to walk through the door. When you’ve worked with someone for so long, it’s difficult to think they’re never coming back,” she said.
McKeever described Chauke, who was a married mother of two, as someone always happy.
“I don’t think there was a day she didn’t have a smile on her face. We never knew if she was sad or upset, she was just always smiling,” she said.
McKeever explained that Chauke’s life revolved around her family, especially her children, daughter Thando (16) and son Tebogo (8).
“She lived for her children. They were her life,” she said, adding the family had recently moved into a new home.
“She couldn’t wait to move. She was so excited.”
Brakpan SAPS station commander Brig Fredl Jonck expressed his condolences to the family and stated Chauke would be sorely missed. Chauke is survived by her husband, Lucky, her children, her mother and two brothers.
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