Service for North West province
15 October 2007
Speaking at the Provincial Annual South African Police Service (SAPS)
Commemoration Service held in Mmakau near Brits on Sunday, 14 October 2007,
Premier Edna Molewa honoured 12 members of the SAPS in the North West province
who lost their lives on the line of duty in 2006.
The 12 members of the SAPS were among those honoured at the National Annual
SAPS Commemoration Service held in Pretoria at the beginning of September this
year. "Today, I stand here to pay my tribute specifically to these heroes of
our police service. Naturally, this is a day which we must approach with great
sadness and respect. It is also the day on which all of us experience the grief
of police families first hand," Premier Molewa said.
"Our hearts ache and go out for their loved ones, their parents, widows,
children, other family members and friends," Premier further added. Premier
Molewa further told those in attendance that those who lost their lives bravely
fought to protect and serve the citizens of the North West and in doing so,
they risked their own lives. "I have no doubt that all that was in their minds
when they passed away was apprehending any criminal they came across with. They
aimed to protect their communities no matter what. And they had a mission of
making this province a better and safer province to live in," she said.
Premier Molewa also said that the people of the North West province and
South Africa will forever honour and respect their memories and be ever
grateful for their unwavering commitment and the ultimate sacrifice they made
in the name of justice.
She urged each and everyone in the South African Police Service to make a
solemn oath that they will dedicate the rest of their careers in the police to
ensuring that their fallen colleagues have not died in vain. "Let us take the
fight out there to the rogue elements of society, let us fight the scourge of
violent crime and evil with double the energy and renewed commitment. Let us
make the streets, banks, petrol stations rural villages and shopping malls safe
for women and children and all law-abiding community members, let us make a
difference and dedicate every success we register to these fallen heroes for
the sacrifice they have made," Premier further said.
"To the families of these heroes, all I can say is that we share in your
pain and can only imagine the emptiness and void that has been created in your
lives. You have an extended family in the South African Police Service and
government in general and we will do all in our power to hold you close, to
comfort you and to help you wherever we can," she added. "The entire provincial
government is with you."
The Premier reminded everyone that on 25 June 1999, President Thabo Mbeki
directed that steps be taken to review the conditions of service of our members
with a view to their improvement. She said the President had correctly pointed
out that policewomen and men were the frontline guarantors of our fundamental
human rights to life, safety and security. "I can attest that since then, we
have made great strides towards improving the conditions of service of members
of the South African Police Service and this has had a positive impact on the
morale of members of the service and enabled the SAPS to retain highly skilled
personnel," Premier Molewa said.
For more information, contact:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Spokesperson
Tel: 018 387 3456
Cell: 082 578 4063
E-mail: cmonama@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: North West Provincial Government
15 October 2007
