Dedicated officer laid to rest

Const Tshepo Tladi was laid to rest on Saturday, January 21. He was shot dead while responding to a business robbery in Katlehong, in the early hours of Thursday morning, January 12.

The funeral started with a short prayer at Tladi’s home in Mokoena Section in Katlehong. From there it proceeded to The Assemblies Of God Church in the same township, where the service was held.

Rev Matlatsi, a senior pastor at the Dutch Reformed Church that Tladi attended, said they still do not understand how Tladi died.

“We all don’t understand the way he died. People from Mokoena Section where Tladi was residing also don’t understand. Even as the church, we still have unanswered questions. But God knows what happened. All we have to do is go and lay our hero to rest in peace and try not to question God’s way of doing things. He is never wrong,” said Matlatsi.

According to the Gauteng provincial commissioner of police, Lt Gen Deliwe de Lange, she knew Tladi for his commitment to the SAPS.

“When I heard that Tladi was shot, I asked which one. They said Tladi from Thokoza. I went to the hospital where I was told Tladi was taken to. Ten minutes after I arrived at the hospital, a message came, saying that he had passed away. I felt pain in my heart,” lamented De Lange.

De Lange explained that police officers have a dangerous job.

“This is what we have to expect as police officers, that when we go to work, the same thing that happened to Tladi might happen to you. But we must also know that the lives of the community are also very important. They must be protected. Their lives must come first,” said De Lange.

“Tladi was one of the most loyal police officers I have ever known. His duty, like that of all the other officers, was to serve the community of Gauteng, and he did that and was very loyal.

“He responded to a business robbery alert and arrived on the scene, only to be killed in the line of duty. He died doing what he loved most, which is protecting his community. As the SAPS, we salute Tladi for his loyalty to the force. When he took the oath eight years ago, he promised to die for the community of Katlehong. And he died doing what he promised when he took the oath. That is how heroes behave,” said De Lange.

De Lange promised to get rid of corrupt police officials.

“I will dismiss all the corrupt officers, but those who commit themselves like Tladi, they are going to be recognised as heroes.”

Tladi was the second police officer to be killed in a period of two days. Another police officer, who was stationed at Rosebank, was shot and killed in the early hours of Saturday morning, January 14, in Eldorado Park.

Tladi leaves behind his son, Omolemo Tladi, his grandmother, his two aunts and two uncles.

His body was buried at Rondebuilt Cemetery, the same cemetery where Chris Hani is buried.

Family members, friends and neighbours declined to comment on Tladi’s death as they were too emotional.