PRETORIA – On Friday 24 January 2020, the South African Police Service (SAPS) held its 3rd Golf Day Challenge at the Port Elizabeth Golf Club.

The Golf Day is an event which aims to raise funds for the South African Police Service Education Trust (SAPSET).

On Friday, the Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Cassel Mathale, the National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Khehla Sitole as well as senior management of the Service were among 100 golfers who took part in the Golf Day Challenge.

The main objective of the SAPS Education Trust is to create a fund for children of members of the South African Police Service that died in the line of duty, by financing the costs of such children’s educational needs.

Since its establishment in 2010, the Trust which is a non-profit organisation has thus far assisted 948 bereaved children with their educational needs.

The resource support and financial assistance entails a discretionary payment by the Trust on behalf of a child to an institution recognized, approved and accredited by the Department of Basic Education(Grade R to 12) or the Department of Higher Education and Training(Tertiary Education).

Two beneficiaries from the Eastern Cape also formed part of the Golf Day Challenge.

Twenty-three-year-old Nande Siphuzi is the son of the late Warrant Officer Monde Siphunzi who died when the state vehicle he was travelling in collided with another vehicle. Twenty-two-year-old Siphokuhle Gungqa was also present, she is the daughter of the late Constable Joshua Gungqa who died in 2016. Constable Gungqa was attending to an armed robbery in progress at a store in Cala when he was shot and killed by robbers who demanded his Service pistol.

The pair expressed their gratitude to the Trust for their support in ensuring that they complete their formal education.

We are grateful for what you have done for us. We are happy for the strategy that you have come up with to keep us in school, said a very emotional but strong Siphokuhle Gungqa

The SAPSET has been a great help to me and my family. Thank you for this initiative. We can never express how grateful we are. The Trust has assisted us immensely, said Nande Siphunzi

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service or any other person appointed in his or her stead is the founder and patron of the trust.

I am certain that you will agree that with the establishment of the SAPS Education Trust, a small ray of hope has been given to many young people despite the tragic loss of a parent. Although we can never bring them back, we can offer a helping hand and an open heart to these children so that they never lose hope and are offered a chance for a brighter and better future, as their late parents would have wished, said General Khehla Sitole.

Partnerships from donors and sponsors support are fundamental to the success of SAPSET. The support received goes a long way in changing and transforming the lives of the SAPS orphans.

The day culminated with a prize-giving ceremony, where the top teams and players were rewarded for their efforts and more than a million rand was pledged by business and individuals towards the Trust.

SAPSET invites everybody to consider partnering with them through sponsorship and perhaps other forms of support. Your partnership would go a long way in changing and transforming the lives of the SAPS orphans. Your partnership would help sponsor a child’s education, uniform, and help support their basic educational needs.

Should anyone wish to assist, the banking details of SAPSET are as follows:

The banking details of the SAPS Education Trust are as follows:

Name of Account holder: Nedbank

Account Name: SAPS Education Trust

Account No: 1003359825

Branch: Bellville, The Bridge

Branch Code: 198765

Reference: Company Name/ Persal No

The safety of SAPS members remains a top priority for SAPS management hence the review of the Police Safety Strategy during the 2018/2019 financial year, the Police Safety Strategy was reviewed and approved on 23 May 2019. The strategy aims at implementing proactive, preventative and reactive measures to ensure the safety of all SAPS members. Furthermore, a National Police Safety Plan has been developed and is being implemented.

Source: South African Police Service