Midrand police station commander Colonel Steven Moodley said, “It feels more like I have lost a daughter than a colleague.”
Maelane took time off work during her lunch-hour to run personal errands when a taxi crashed into her car on Dale Road.
Moodley said it was alleged that the taxi driver was looking down at his cellphone and not at the road when the accident occurred. He went to the scene and said Maelane’s car was severely damaged. “The taxi driver had already been taken to hospital by the time I arrived,” said Moodley.
He said Maelane was alone in the car.
Members of the Midrand police were coping, according to Moodley, but he said it was not easy. “She was committed, dedicated and vibrant, full of life and vigour. It is a great loss to the police force and especially to Midrand Police Station,” he said.
Moodley fondly remembers the close relationship Maelane shared with Midrand police communications officer Constable Matome Tlamela and victim empowerment co-ordinator Constable Nanty Belebetsi. “I used to call them the three musketeers,” said Moodley.
Tlamela and Belebetsi sent a joint statement which said, “A family is like a body. When a family loses the loved one it is as if they lost one of their limbs. When we wake up each morning to start a new day, getting into our office and preparing our duties, the pain of losing her never goes away.
“We go about the things we used to do as the three sisters and the hours pass by, we just think again of her. Our tears always run whenever we think of you. Rest in peace our lovely sister and colleague. We will sadly miss you.”
Moodley said Maelane took social crime prevention to a new level and had helped a great deal of people. Her efforts were recognised provincially when she received an award for the best social crime prevention department in the province.
Maelane was 29 years old and leaves behind her son who is due to celebrate his first birthday on 26 April.
“Our sincere condolences go to her family at this tragic time and this department will do as much as we can to help assist the family,” said Moodley.
Midrand police held a memorial service in the memorial garden at the station at 10am on 9 April, and the funeral will take place in Limpopo province on 12 April. Moodley welcomed members of the public to attend.
Details: Midrand police station, 011 347 1600.
