Eulogy by the Minister of Police, E.N. Mthethwa at the Memorial Service of the late South African Police Service Officers, Hatfield Christian Church, Pretoria, Gauteng, July 29 2010
Deputy Minister of Police, FA Mbalula;
National Commissioner of Police, General BH Cele;
All SAPS Lieutenants General, Senior officers and Staff present;
Senior commanders and members of the National Intervention Unit;
Bereaved Families, Relatives and Friends of our Fallen Heroes;
Representatives of Civil Society and Religious Fraternities present;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
In this remarkable, yet at times challenging journey of life and in our profession as those who are called to serve and protect society; we encounter different obstacles. In our endeavors of facing life's challenges, we also encounter individuals who inspire us through their leadership qualities, talents and characters.
These individuals dedicate their lives to the noble cause of safeguarding others from harm and hurt. They do this with no expectation of commensurate reward. But at times, without a warning or fitting farewell, even such committed individuals are unexpectedly taken away from us. When such occurrences unfold, they pierce through our hearts like razor-sharp swords.
On that fateful Friday morning, the people of our land lost some the country's beloved and gallant fighters for safety and security. It is indeed with a deep sense of sorrow and pain, and yet with pride that we today bid and bestow upon them, their final farewell and honour.
We pay tribute to the departed police officers: Colonel Teboho Percy Maduna, Captain Wickus Zaayman, Warrant Officer Tinus Gouws, Warrant Officer Colin Edwards Davids, Warrant Officer Dirk Cornelis van Aswegen, Sergeant Jacobus Henning and Sergeant Daniel Jacob Benjamin de Bruin.
Today, marks exactly 18 days since we hosted a safe and successful 2010 FIFA World CupTM. Today, the world is beginning to look at South Africa and our continent, not so much for our lack of capacity, but for our capacity to do things in a way that makes everyone proud. Conditions have emerged where the world wants to do business with us. These positive shifts in perceptions and conditions are, to a large extent, through the contribution of these fallen heroes.
Today we speak without fear of contradiction or exaggeration when we say: the World Cup's success was by and large as a result of the enormous contribution and role played by our National Intervention Unit. These heroes met their untimely death on their way to combat crime. Under the stewardship of their late commander (Col Maduna), when duty called, they did not hesitate to respond. That is why we emphasize that the success of the 2010 FIFA World CupTM was a true pinnacle of these dedicated members' hard and smart work.
The heroic example set by these sons of our soil shall forever serve as an inspiration within the ranks of our fearless fighters against crime - communicating the message that in defense of our society's wellbeing and our beloved country, we shall give all.
Lest we forget, those who gave generously of their talents to lighten our moments of darkness; do not want the embarrassment to their hard toiling. We are referring to those who elected to oppose and banish those who sought to live on crime for personal benefit.
The gods themselves would lose their patience with us if we permit time to persuade us for the jewel on our crown to lose its sparkle, merely because the crash has robbed us of their lives. Whatever the direction we turn our ears - towards the Limpopo, towards Karoo, in the direction of uKhahlamba and Kgalagadi - the same message reaches us - their work is not yet done!
We urge those amongst us, who can still breathe, see and touch; to refuse that selfishness, bribe and corruption should take possession of your hearts, minds and deprive you of what is most precious to us - the lived gift of ubuntu! This after all, is the best honour we can all accord the seven heroes we are remembering today.
In their memory we must, together, continue to improve our capacity to deliver a crushing blow to crime and those who commit it. This is our conviction, our purpose and a debt we profoundly owe to them. In their memory we must, together, as members of the Force, serve our society with dedication, humility and care. We must strive to give efficient service that helps to change the lives of all South Africans for the better.
None of us had reckoned with what happened at Emalahleni, Mpumalanga last Friday. We did not know that these devoted members who flew from Pretoria to Emalahleni would return to Pretoria in coffins, never having reached their destinations alive.
As we pay tribute to our colleagues, our parents, our brothers and sisters; we say to the family members, your grief is the pain of the nation. Your sorrow is our sadness. The tragedy that befell all these members has devastated all our people.
We are gathered here this morning to comfort and ease the burden of grief of those who have been robbed of precious relatives, friends and co-workers by the pitiless hand of death.
These are compatriots who, as workers and as members of the Force had undoubtedly made their indelible contribution to the tasks we pursued together, that of protecting our communities from crime and working to provide a better and secure life for all.
We mourn and salute these humble and yet great South Africans because through their work, South Africa is moving towards a country that is free from crime. We mourn and salute these humble and yet great South Africans because, without fanfare, without seeking glory and status, they continued to defend the gains made by society.
We mourn and salute these humble and yet great South Africans, who refused to be discouraged because, however rough the road may have been, their eyes and minds were firmly fixed on the destination we defined together. They knew that their duty was to the society and their mission was to wage a war against crime.
A deep sense of desolation and grief has gripped our hearts and our spirits. Together with their families, peers and all those who loved them, we have cried and suffered awful pangs of pain at this sad loss. We have a right to feel cheated by death that in silence stole our lodestars. Nothing could have prepared us for the terrible loss we have just suffered.
There is a saying that time heals; that it heals the deepest wounds. We hope, too, that time will heal our wounds and one day we will wake up consoled in the knowledge that more heroes will be born.
Today, the South African Police Service is poorer. The people of South Africa are poorer. We have all been robbed of true patriots, dedicated officers in the reconstruction and development of our country.
Like the living plants and trees that clothe the African earth and her deserts when the time comes, the lives of the seven departed had meaning not because they lived, but because their lives gave new life to our children, mothers, senior citizens and everyone else who are proud to call themselves South Africans.
Indeed they will be remembered as persons of profound integrity and firm conviction. Their commitment to the protection of the weak and defenseless will live on in our hearts and minds.
To them, the pragmatic vision of building a caring and humane society in which all South Africans have access to safety and security was realizable. With their inopportune departure, it is left up to all of us, whether in the Force, civil society, religious fraternity, youth formations or the business sector, to carry forward the cause of which they championed.
On behalf of Government, to which they loyally served, I would like to take this opportunity to convey our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, relatives and colleagues. Their passing is indeed a huge loss to the broader South African Police Service in its continued battle against crime.
While our tongues express the sadness of our hearts, we will be doing the right thing if we honour the memory of our departed compatriots by embracing the ideals that they stood for and work harder for the society that, through their commitment to the Force, they sought to achieve.
Now is the time for all South Africans to stand together against crime. This is the best and appropriate memory we can afford these heroes, who in the first place, put their country's interest above their own.
Robalang ka Khotso Dinatla tsa Dinatla!
Lalani Ngoxolo Maqhawe Ethu!
Mag hulle Siel en Vrede Rus!
I thank you.
Issued by Zweli Mnisi, Chief Director: Communications/Spokesperson, Ministry of Police, July 29 2010
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