Fallen response officer honoured for his bravery
Themba Mqikwa was responding to an alarm in Westville when he was shot dead early this year.
SLAIN ADT officer, Themba Mqikwa, received a Posthumous Award for bravery at the 9th annual Security Industry Alliance (SIA) awards ceremony.
Mqikwa was responding to an alarm in Matapan Road, Westville when he was shot dead in January this year.
He arrived at the house and did an external check and everything was in order.
When he was leaving and going back to his vehicle, two men came out from behind a bush and apprehended him.
ALSO READ:Â ADT response officer killed in Westville
He tried fighting them off but was shot in the head.
The criminals fled with the man’s gun, company tablet and his wallet.
The murder of Mqikwa left the community shocked as many people described him as a humble man, dedicated to his job and most of the times, the first person to respond.
After his murder, neighbourhood watches, CPFs, patrollers, ADT staff, community control rooms and residents gathered in Matapan Road to honour this hero.
During the gathering, the owner of the house that Themba was responding to, Nhlanhla Mbatha, said they will always be grateful for Themba’s bravery.
ALSO READ:Â WATCH: Tribute for ADT slain hero
The award ceremony was held at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways and attended by almost 450 representatives of the private security industry.
This was the first time the awards were held in partnership with The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA).
Of the 179 awards presented, the Fidelity Security Group walked away with a total of 79 awards.
Wahl Bartmann, Fidelity Security Group CEO praised all award recipients.
ALSO READ:Â IN PICS: Tribute for ADT response officer
“It is overwhelming to see the level of bravery, resilience, commitment and loyalty of all the award recipients. We live in a volatile crime environment which provides unique challenges for the private security industry.
“We are so very proud of the perseverance, professionalism and bravery shown by our officers. They are deserving of these awards and the recognition they have received from the security industry. Every day our officers and guards put their lives on the line protecting our clients. It is awards like these that recognise their contribution to the ongoing fight against crime,” he said.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
