WHITTLESEA, Eastern Cape – Family, friends, colleagues and senior police management gathered in the Eastern Cape today to say a final farewell to Captain Zamani Mzayiya, who was laid to rest with full military honours after losing his life in the line of duty.

The funeral service was held at Who-can-tell Village in Whittlesea, where Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane and senior police officials gathered to honour the fallen officer.

Mzayiya was killed in a shootout between police and an armed gunman in Knysna on 26 August. The gunman also died during the incident.

Captain Zamani Mzayiya was stationed in Knysna

According to police, Mzayiya was a highly trained tactical specialist and a member of the Western Cape Provincial Tactical Response Team.

He was among a contingent of police officials deployed to the Garden Route town following two separate shooting incidents that left three men dead.

At the time former Knysna mayor and councillor Aubrey Tsengwa was killed in a hail of bullets on 19 August.

Mzayiya is survived by his wife and five children

Dimpane led the SAPS delegation at today’s funeral, with senior management and provincial commissioners from the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape among those in attendance.

Paying tribute to Mzayiya, Dimpane spoke of the courage he showed in the line of duty.

“Even in his untimely recall, Captain Mzayiya demonstrated the courage that defined his career. He did not retreat from danger. He stood his ground until the very end,” Dimpane said.

She condemned attacks on police officers and said the safety of police officers remained an organisational priority.

“The South African Police Service and Government unequivocally condemn the killing of police officers and regard every attack on a police member as an attack on the rule of law and the safety of our communities,” she said.

“Our responsibility extends beyond supporting families in their time of grief; it must also include decisive interventions to confront the unacceptable criminality of turning firearms against police officers; particularly against a highly trained tactical specialist such as Captain Mzayiya.”

Dimpane described Mzayiya as “one of its giants in the fight against crime”.

Mzayiya served in the police service for 24 years and leaves behind his mother, wife, five children and siblings.

Dimpane ended her tribute by honouring his years of service.

“Captain Zamani Mzayiya, you answered the call. You stood in harm’s way. You fought until the end. You wore the badge with honour for 24 years. Today, we salute you.”

“In your honour, the fight against crime continues. We owe it to your courageous fighting spirit. Hamba Kahle Captain Mzayiya. May your soul rest in eternal peace.”

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