Police Minister and National Commissioner observe National Police Day while laying to rest a fallen KZN member
As the South African Police Service (SAPS) commemorates 27 January as National Police Day, the SAPS family led by Police Minister, General Bheki Cele and the National Commissioner of the police service General Fannie Masemola bid a final farewell to an officer who was killed in the line of duty in the KwaZulu-Natal province.
Constable Nosipho Zuma was on the 17th of January tragically killed, when a truck plunged into an accident scene she was attending to on the M7 highway.
Today, the SAPS and the country at large remembers officers who paid the ultimate price while on duty serving the country.
National Police Day serves as an opportunity to appreciate the sacrifices that our men and women in blue have made and continue to make, as they provide safety for all who live in South Africa.
The ministry remains very encouraged that over 6 million rand has been raised through pledges by South African corporates and business, which will go towards the South African Police Education Trust Fund (SAPSET) and cover all educational needs of the children of fallen members.
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.”
National Commissioner 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 from 250 thousand rand to 300 thousand rand for lower ranking members who are often at the coalface of policing hazards.
The SAPS has lost 140 police officers in the last four years. 33 members have been killed in the line of duty since January 2023 to date.
Police Ministry Spokesperson
Lirandzu Themba
Cell: 082 604 9080
