A wreath-laying ceremony at Gene Louw Traffic College in Brackenfell last week commemorated the 18 traffic officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in recent years. Western Cape mobility MEC Daylin Mitchell was joined by relatives of some of the fallen heroes to honour their memory.
“These officers and men and women in blue heroically passed on in the line of duty. They paid the ultimate price while performing their daily duties to serve and protect our road users in the Western Cape. It is only fitting that the fallen heroes who contributed significantly towards safer transport are remembered and honoured during National Transport Month,” said Mitchell.
“Through this gesture, we could pay our respect to the fallen heroes who are husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters who made the final sacrifice for this province.”
Loved ones attending the ceremony were all presented with personalised candles.
Traffic officer Willis Smith, whose mother attended the ceremony, responded to a road accident in October 2020 when he was killed in a head-on collision near Worcester. He was only 27 years old.
In August 2020, Deon Sampson from Mamre died when he was run over by a taxi at a roadblock in Khayelitsha.
This followed the death of a female traffic officer in George during the same month, who was shot and killed by a reckless driver she pulled off on the N2.
“The death of a loved one is a great burden to bear. I hope that this ceremony will bring you a little comfort as we honour them,” he said during the emotional proceedings.
The Wall of Remembrance was specially built at the Gene Louw Traffic College – the cornerstone of the traffic fraternity – where most traffic officers within the province receive their initial training.
The fountain at the wall which flows continuously for 365 days a year is a symbolical part of the Wall of Remembrance and a constant reminder of colleagues who have lost their lives while in the employ of provincial traffic services and other agencies.
“This is also a token of appreciation and a symbol that they will forever be in our thoughts and hearts.
“It is unfortunate that too many road users are still losing their lives on our roads due to negligence and a complete disregard to fellow road users. Families lose loved ones such as parents who are breadwinners and children their parents due to these road accidents.”
Acting traffic chief Farrel Payne said traffic law enforcement comes with uncertainty and while in training, traffic officers are taught not to leave home while not at peace with their family members.
