TRAGIC! These seven police officers died in one week

It has been a tragic week for South Africa after seven police officers died in one week. 

POLICE TRAGICALLY LOST SEVEN POLICE OFFICERS THIS WEEK

National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola said the police sadly lost a number of members this week. 

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HERE ARE THE SEVEN POLICE OFFICERS WHO DIED

These seven police officers were killed in one week: 

• Detective Warrant Officer Neels Du Rand
• Brigadier Jackson Mkhaulesi
• Lieutenant-Colonel Morris Lekone Mohajane
• Constable Ngwako Ronaldo Mohlopi (30), 
• Constable Sakhiwe Albert Mnende (33) and 
• ConstableMmamatlhomola Maria Mokoena (34)
• Sergeant Maja

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BRIGADIER JACKSON MKHAULESI DIED IN BLOEMFONTEIN

“We also take this opportunity to pay tribute and send condolences to the family of Brigadier Jackson Mkhaulesi, who died in Bloemfontein earlier this week. We will remember him as a hardworking and dedicated detective with a career spanning more than three decades.

“Our condolences to family, friends, and colleagues of the detective commander of Mooinooi police station, Lieutenant Colonel Morris Lekone Mohajane, who was killed after a hijacking incident outside his home.” 

Fannie Masemola

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TWO OFFICERS OF FOCHVILLE DIED IN A CAR ACCIDENT

Masemola said they also pay tribute to Constables Mohlopi, Mokoena, and Mdende from Fochville SAPS, who died in a car accident 10km outside Potchefstroom, also on Tuesday afternoon.

“Our sincerest condolences also go to the families of Sergeant Maja and Warrant Officer Durandt. Sergeant Maja was fatally shot in a shootout with suspects in Mamelodi during an operation by the HAWKS Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS). Warrant Officer Durandt was the Detective Branch Commander of Villers in the Free State. He was fatally shot while responding to a truck hijacking.” 

Fannie Masemola

POLICE CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT THE POLICE SAFETY STRATEGY

He furthermore said police continue to implement the Police Safety Strategy, which seeks to look at the safety and security of members on and off duty.

“May the departed souls rest in peace.”

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TRIBUTES FOR TINA JOEMAT PETTERSON

Masemola also paid tribute to the late Chairperson of the National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Police, Tina Joemat Pettersson, who died earlier this week.

“On behalf of the men and women in blue, we remember the late chairperson for her oversight role, holding officials to account in the execution of our constitutional mandate.

“With her straightforward and resolute approach, the late chairperson crisscrossed the country, conducting oversight visits at police stations, service points and SAPS training academies. Her mission was always to ensure that service delivery is enhanced and improved at all our service points. We will surely miss her guidance and support as we continue with the journey of making South Africa a much safer and better place to live in.” 

Fannie Masemola

PETTERSON DIED AT HER CAPE TOWN HOME ON MONDAY

 Pettersson died at her Cape Town home on Monday, aged 59. She will be buried in a private funeral.

“The family, together with us, agreed there will be a private funeral service for comrade Tina, and in that funeral service, we will all give the family the necessary support and, once more, afford them space to give her a decent send off in accordance with their wishes,” ANC first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane said.