BLOEMFONTEIN – Police officers who died in the line of duty since 2020 in the Free State were honoured during a special ceremony on Sunday, 21 December.
A Wall of Remembrance was unveiled during a Police Commemoration Service at the Parkweg Police Station in honour of men and women in blue who lost their lives and were killed whilst protecting citizens.
Families and friends of the fallen were joined by the Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale, Free State Premier, MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, and Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, and SAPS management.
Wreaths were laid by Letsoha-Mathae on behalf of the South African government; Mathale laid a wreath on behalf of the Department of Police; and Motswenyane laid a wreath on behalf of the South African Police.
The names of all the fallen since 2020 were then read out. This included police officers from all over the Free State.
The Premier of Free State Province, in her message, said the wall must be a remembrance of those who have departed:”Gone but not forgotten.”
“We dedicate the wall to the safety of SAPS members. This festive season is when police fight crime in our communities. This is the day when families remember their heroes, who included breadwinners of their families.
“We encourage police to be visible and stop reckless driving. Statistics are not numbers, but families. Drive safely when doing your work. Your work is vital. We share the pain with the families of the fallen heroes. Thanks to the SAPS Provincial Commissioner who made this honour possible for our families of fallen heroes,” concluded the Premier.
Motswenyane indicated that even though she is retiring at the end of next month, she is delighted that the wall is finished. “This wall must remind us that these fallen heroes lived and did not die in vain. Continue to fight crime and make South Africa safe,” she concluded.
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