Memorial service held for respected Roodepoort policeman
"He had a passion for his job, he served the community of Roodepoort with pride and dignity and he understood his mandate."
Bereaved family members and colleagues of Warrant Officer AB Monyatsi who died after his vehicle was involved in an accident, gathered at Jozua Naudé Primary School on Thursday, February 9 to pay their last respects.
United by grief, mourners braved downpours to gather at the school to pay their respects to Monyatsi who was well known for being friendly and always having a positive attitude.
Monyatsi, 52 was described as a person who was never in conflict with anyone and was always friendly and wore his badge with honour.
One of his neighbours said the community will always respect Monyatsi as he respected the community that he lived in.
Magistrate Smith from the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court who worked with Monyatsi spoke highly of him and said that she was sad when she heard the news of his passing.
Visible Policing Commander, Colonel Engelbrecht said when she worked with Monyatsi, he was a dedicated policeman and always looked out for others
“I believe that when he passed away, he saw the Lord and we must always remember him in our hearts, may his soul rest in peace and the Lord be with all of us,” said Engelbrecht.
Family representative L Mokgetsi thanked all who attended and reflected on Monyatsi’s life and the kind of a person he was towards his family, he also thanked the Roodepoort Police Station for the fitting send-off.
Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union representative Detective Sergeant SS Mokala spoke about the character of Monyatsi and said that he was always a bubbly person and friendly to everyone.
“He never misbehaved and always represented the organisation well; we are going to miss him for his positive attitude. This is a member that can never be replaced, the expectations of the community are for us to behave like Monyatsi, he has done his best and worked at the Magistrate’s Court for many years. Those who knew him well will know that he was a loyal Moroka Swallows Football Club fan,” said Mokala.
Roodepoort Station Commander Brigadier Sekwakwa also spoke highly of Monyatsi and extended her condolences to the family of the Monyatsi.
“We are gathered here today with mixed emotions, I have known and worked with Warrant Officer Monyatsi in the early 90s at Roodepoort Police Station, he was unique, humble, and always smiling. He had a passion for his job, he served the community of Roodepoort with pride and dignity and he understood his mandate. Ladies and gentlemen, God will never allow a storm unless he has a divine purpose for it, to the Monyatsi family, just be still and know that he is God,” said Sekwakwa.
Reverend Captain Tsintsing gave a touching sermon that instilled hope in the hearts of Monyatsi’s family, friends, and colleagues and read from the book of Matthew 25.
According to a family member, Monyatsi died in a head-on collision that happened at a bridge in Doornkop and the case is still under police investigation.
Monyatsi’s funeral service was held on Saturday, February 11 from 07:00 in Shaleng Village, Taung.
READ MORE: Roodepoort police bid farewell to members
