What started as a solemn and mournful gathering turned into a
frenzy of song and dance in memory of four SAPS employees during a mass memorial
service that was held at the Mthatha SAPS Training Academy on Thursday.
The four SAPS members died in a tragic car accident in Ngcobo
on the morning of Sunday, April 25, 2021. Constable Buqaqawuli Nyembezi, Constable
Lungelo Nogqala, Constable Mkhuseli Lila and Secretary, Ntombikayise Landu, all
from the Alfred Nzo District, were travelling home from Ngcobo on official duty
when they lost their lives in a head-on collision.
Eastern Cape Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt. Gen. Liziwe
Ntshinga, who had been visiting the families of the deceased, recalled how this
unfortunate car accident occurred while these members were working hard under
the dynamic leadership of Junior Management Core (JMC). They were busy fighting
Gender Based Violence (GBV) through operations and awareness campaigns at the
Chris Hani District rural towns of Cofimvaba and Ngcobo. The intervention is
aimed to cover all affected areas in the Eastern Cape since fighting GBV has
become a government and presidential priority.
“We have lost enormously from the day of this accident
but today we are saying that these young people have served the South African Police
with distinction and as a result all their coffins will be draped with the national
flag as a patriotic gesture for their efforts,” Ntshinga said.
National Minister of Police, Gen. Bheki Cele, who led some
of the songs in memory of the four patriots, said that memorial services should
be a song and dance and not about speeches and philosophy.
“We choose songs to wash away pain,” he said.
Cele and Ntshinga was joined by the family and relatives of
the deceased, National Commissioner of Police, Gen. Khehla Sitole, Deputy
National Commissioner: Policing, Lt. Gen. Sindile Mfazi, Eastern Cape MEC for
Transport, Safety and Liaison, Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe and mourners from every corner
of the Eastern Cape.
“The fact that we are here means we knew them, we
worked and travelled together. The fact that they are draped in the national
flag on their last days means that they are national heroes.”
Addressing concerns about Gender Based Violence (GBV) Cele
said it is unfortunate that Lusikisiki has overtaken Inanda with high numbers
of reported incidents of GBV. “This means that the work that was begun by
these fallen patriots needs to be sustained.”
Cele and Sitole laid a few wreaths during the ceremony,
making it a site that will be visited annually to remember these brave, young
and vibrant patriots who gave their all to their country.
Sitole explained that when these members died, they were
busy implementing Section 205 of Act 106 of the South African Constitution that
deals with the prevention, combatting and investigation of crime and serving the
people.
“This makes us proud. We have requested for each to
have an official funeral and the provincial commissioner is busy with that
mandate.”
Sitole also promised that the police will do their best to
assist and support the affected families and implored them to make a submission
to the SAPS Education Trust Fund for educational support of the children of the
deceased. He also promised to provide counselling for two young children
affected and all the families.
“Tomorrow our dearly departed will be happy to know
that we are supporting those loved ones left behind.”
Constable Buqaqawuli Nyembezi had already been laid to rest
in Mount Ayliff on May 2. The other three funerals will take place over the
course of this weekend.
Other messages of support were received from union and
organisation representatives like POPCRU, SAPU, Women’s Network, Men for Change
and the Community Police Forum.
Relatives of the deceased remembered the four for different
reasons. Constable Nyembezi was remembered as a joker who made everyone
happy within the family and a hardworking member who will be missed dearly at the
Mount Ayliff station and his district.
It was said that Constable Nogqala was a devout Christian
who always led every action he took with a prayer and always finished what he
started.
Mourners heard from the father of Constable Lila that
he was a refined and respectful man. “When he left us, l was emotionally
disturbed but through the prayers and visits, the family is finding comfort,”
he said.
Landu’s family will always remember her as a daughter who
loved her mother very much.
