The unveiling of South African Police Service (SAPS) memorial - helicopter crash speech by South African Police Service, General National Commissioner Bheki Cele, Witbank, Gauteng
22 Jul 2011
The Chief Operations Officer
Deputy National Commissioners
Divisional Commissioners
Provincial Commissioner (Mpumalanga)
Representatives from other Government Departments;
All sponsors for this occasion
All police officials present
Families, colleagues, friends and distinguished participants at this solemn occasion,
My humble greetings.
We have all come together in memory of our fallen heroes.
I ask you all to rise for a moment's silence in tribute to their memory. Even as we do so, let us also remember those members of the SAPS who have died in the call of duty.
Moment of silence, thank you.
The measure of life is not its duration but its donation. Everyone can be great because everyone can serve. The South African Police Service (SAPS), with its history, present and future, yet it remains the second home to most of us gathered here today, infact, to our late colleagues it was where they met their untimely death on the fateful day of 23 July 2010, whilst pursuing their passion for the love of their job and for the love of their country.
The SAPS lost the giants in our specialised environment. But perhaps the greatest loss is to South Africa as a whole, now and in the future, for our country has been deprived of the skill, courage and insight that was unique to our members we are commemorating today. To the families, you have suffered a loss that no amount of tears can replace.
I am more and more convinced that our happiness or our unhappiness depends far more on the way we meet the events of life that on the nature of those events themselves. Yes, over my short tenure at office I have had to face the bereaved families and friends of too many police officers. Though, despite these unwelcome occurrences, we as management continue to experience the unwavering commitment of police officers to their duty - a duty which every minute of the day holds the threat of them losing their life while safeguarding another's.
It is this commitment which I relate to as being deeply entrenched patriotism. Patriotism is more than simply singing the national anthem or casting one's vote. Patriotism is about loving your country, caring about its people and being the citizen who resembles that which a country shares as a common goal for a true democracy.
When I am requested to present the South African flag to the family of a fallen member, I see this form of patriotism. I see how that member lived the life of a patriot. I see how that member showed courage while serving this country and its people. I see how that member made a choice not to serve his or her own interests but to stand up against the injustices that unpatriotic members of society wish to bring on our people.
We must therefore never believe that the sacrifice a police officer has made has been in vain. We must recognise that they have made these sacrifices so that we can benefit from their patriotic deeds. Their names, which are engraved on the countless tombstones all across South Africa, serve to remind us of this benefit as we strive to be equally as patriotic.
Today we salute the bravery and commitment of seven police members who did not hesitate for a moment to answer to a national call of duty and make any sacrifice required of them. Not for a moment did these men hesitate to put their lives in danger to defend and preserve the lives of others that were under attack by ruthless criminals. These men were prepared to do so for the benefit of others.
They were completely unafraid. No task was too small for them to perform. Their ready smile and warm friendship was a source of strength and companionship. We loved them like the true family they were. They laid down their lives so that we may know a crime free country. No greater sacrifice is possible.
We remember them with the pledge that the fight against crime they lived and died for will dawn. We all owe them a debt that can only be repaid through the achievement of the defeat of crime and its remnants, which was the passion of their life.
Having come face-to-face with the many deaths of police officers, and having to deal with the emotions and trauma that officers suffer while carrying out their duties, I have come to realise that our members need patriotic friendship and support from the South African community.
In reality it is community support and friendship which motivate members of the SAPS under the most difficult of times to take up the line of defence against criminals. It is this type of friendship and support which joins SAPS members and communities in flushing out criminals in their midst, delivering cop killers to face the might of the law, and not remaining silent or oblivious to the deeds of those who do not deserve to be part of the South Africa we are building for our future generation.
The tombstone erected in their honour will stand as a reminder, not only to the community of Witbank, but to the entire nation of the patriotic actions of policemen and police women across the country. Indeed we shall forever remember their relentless dedication and never forget their invaluable contribution to the fight against crime.
To the members of the National Intervention Unit (NIU), members of the Airwing and all the men and women in blue gathered here today, I am making this lucid call once again - carry the baton forward with pride, diligence and vigor. The struggle is far from over. You are our officers of peace, together, we are invincible. That is how we will pay the greatest tribute we can to our fallen heroes. Let us hold firm to our commitment of serving and protecting fellow South Africans with dynamism and commitment.
You never know when one kind act or word of encouragement can change a life forever.
I thank you.
Issued by the South African Police Service, July 22 2011
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