In a moving ceremony, the South African Police, led by police minister General Bheki Cele and the National Commissioner of the police service General Fannie Masemola bade farewell to Bellair police officer Constable Nosipho Zuma who was killed in the line of duty two weeks ago.
Constable Zuma was killed on Wednesday January 17 when a truck ploughed through an accident scene she was attending to on the M7 highway.
On Saturday, the SAPS paid tribute to Constable Zuma and other police officers who paid the ultimate price while serving the country. The memorial coincided with National Police Day that serves as an opportunity to appreciate the sacrifices that the men and women in blue have made.
While addressing mourners at the funeral service of Constable Zuma, who leaves behind two young children, Minister Cele emphasised the importance of taking care of those left behind.
“Constable Zuma is one of scores of officers who perished while at work, leaving behind husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, loving parents, colleagues, neighbours friends and most significantly they leave behind sons and daughters. In the midst of the tragedy, the least we can do is take care of the children,”said he said
He said the ministry was encouraged that over R6 million had been raised through pledges by South African corporates and business that will go towards the South African Police Education Trust Fund (SAPSET) and cover all educational needs of the children of fallen members.
General Masemola echoed the same sentiment, saying the police death grant afforded to all members of the SAPS who are killed while at work has been increased to R300 000.
The SAPS has lost 140 police officers in the past four years, with 33 of them having been killed in the line of duty since January 2023.
