Hundreds of police officers gathered at the Union Buildings on Sunday to commemorate colleagues who died in the line of duty.
#sapsHQ Families, colleagues, invited guests arriving at #SAPS Memorial @ Union Bldgs for Commemoration Day SD pic.twitter.com/TlvP0i1jqx
— SA Police Service ???????? (@SAPoliceService) September 4, 2016
Those attending to mourn the death of 72 officers included Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Police Minister Nathi Nhleko and acting police commissioner Lt-Gen Kgomotso Phahlane.
#sapsHQ Minister & Deputy Minister of Police present to lay wreaths in honour of #SAPS members who died in line of duty #FinalSalute SD
— SA Police Service ???????? (@SAPoliceService) September 4, 2016
“It is thus heart-breaking to learn that during the last year 72 members of the police service lost their lives – 40 of them in the line of fire, Ramaphosa said.
#sapsHQ Acting President of RSA, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, laid a wreath in honour of fallen SAPS members #FinalSalute SD pic.twitter.com/0QNkQZoV34
— SA Police Service ???????? (@SAPoliceService) September 4, 2016
He urged the public to stand up against the murder of the men and women in blue, and to become proactive in fighting crime by joining community policing forums in their areas.
“By participating in community policing forums they can have a voice in local policing and become aware of crime trends in their areas. People can mobilise all community members to be the eyes and ears of the police, providing tip-offs on criminal activities,” he explained.
#sapsHQ One aspect to police safety we do not under-estimate is the role played by community, Acting President, Mr Ramaphosa #FinalSalute SD
— SA Police Service ???????? (@SAPoliceService) September 4, 2016
Wreaths were laid by Ramaphosa and the names of the 72 victims were inscribed on a memorial wall.
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