Potchefstroom: The nation is in deep mourning. Our hearts are heavy. Sadness has engulfed us as we have lost these three police officers far away in the Eastern Cape, Engcobo area where they were deployed on a special mission. These three officers were part of a highly skilled trace and tracking investigating squad, said MEC Motlhabane during the memorial service of three members who died due to a motor vehicle accident on Tuesday, 27 February 2018.

The memorial service which was also graced by the presence of the Deputy National Commissioner for Human Resource Management, Lieutenant General Mgwenya, Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Motswenyane and bereaved families of Tokotshane, Kodisang and Tawo. It was also attended by provincial South African Police Service (SAPS) senior managers, members as well as Divisional Commissioner for Human Resource Utilisation, Lieutenant General Kwena, Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Shivuri, Major General Mlamxelela from Eastern Cape and members of the community, was held Wednesday, 7 March 2018 at Mmabana Cultural Centre, Taung.

The MEC said further that the members possessed special skills and knowledge that is rare and much needed in the country and that they were actually operationalising the call against criminals that, ‘you can run but you can’t hide’. These officers lived and died for a purpose. One must live life, always conscious of the Soil, the Flag and the Oath you take. We continue to heartily convey, from national and provincial government, our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones. We, equally, wish to console friends and close colleagues of the fallen members of the South African Police Service as well as wish the injured member a speedy recovery, said the MEC.

In her remarks, Lieutenant General Mgwenya said the memorial is meant to grant you as the family, colleagues and community the opportunity to pay tribute and to say goodbye to our fallen heroes and to show the deep respect that we as an organisation had for them. This is evident in all the many people from all walks of life, who gathered here to pay their last respects.

It was during the service that the families of Tokotshane, Kodisang and Tawo and labour unions; Police and Prison Civil Rights Union (POPCRU and South African Policing Union (SAPU) were given an opportunity to pay tribute to the late members.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane announced that a joint official funeral will be held in Taung for Sgt Montshosi Tokotshane and Const Kgatatso Tawo while Constable Modisagaarekwe Kodisang’s one will be held in Madibogo near Mahikeng. All the funerals will be held on Saturday, 10 March 2018.

Source: South African Police Service