In an emotional event, 40 police officers who died in the line of duty between 1 April 2016 and 31 March 2017 were commemorated at the Union Buildings today.
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In attendance were the bereaved families from different parts of the country who were given an opportunity to lay wreaths to pay tribute to their loved ones and to look at the roll of honour as they reminisced, many in tears and emotional.
Addressing SAPS members police minister Fikile Mbalula emphasised robustness in dealing with criminals, saying he was not advocating violence, but dangerous criminals had to be dealt with “accordingly”.
Mbalula told the bereaved families that they should take solace in the fact their loved ones lost their lives protecting our country.
In his keynote address Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “On this day, as we remember those brave men and women, as we salute them, we think with great anguish of the great loss suffered by those who were near to them.
“We can only imagine the agony of recollecting that morning, that day, or night, when loved ones left home to serve and protect, never to return.”
Ramaphosa called on communities to work hand in hand with the police to rid communities of crime and banditry.
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He also spoke against corruption telling police officers to not endanger their own careers for petty gains of corruption.
“Carry your responsibilities with sincerity and integrity. Become a police service of professionalism, honesty, accountability and effective working relations with communities,” said Ramaphosa.
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