Three framed images surrounded by bouquets of flowers, 12 lit candles, paid homage to three police officers slain in recent weeks.
“The job we take on behalf of South Africa is a dangerous job,” said national minister of police Bheki Cele at the memorial service held for the three officers, killed in separate incidents across the Cape Flats this month.
Held at the New Apostolic Church in Tafelsig on Thursday last week, hundreds of officers, family members and friends attended the memorial service honouring constables Lonwabo Kili,30, Siyamcela Ncipa,37, and Arthur Mantu, 33.
National police commissioner Khehla Sitole and Western Cape police commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula were also in attendance.
Two of the officers had been killed in separate incidents on Friday 17 August. Following the incidents, Jula expressed his shock in a statement.
“In the first incident, an off-duty police constable was shot at on the corner of Sarah Baartman and Symphony Way in Delft at 8:00PM as he was picking up an acquaintance. He was also robbed of his service firearm. Constable Lonwabo Kili was stationed at Belville South Police Station,” said Jula in the statement.
“In the second incident, another off-duty police constable was shot twice in the head outside the residence of a friend in Site B, Khayelitsha. His firearm was taken during the incident. Constable Siyamcela Ncipa worked at Mowbray Police Station.”
Constable Arthur Mantu’s charred remains were found inside his burnt vehicle, also in Khayelitsha.
The memorial service started with a ceremony where officers laid wreaths on wooden crosses, followed by a candle lighting ceremony.
The Western Cape Provincial Police Band were also present.
Cele said there was a campaign against officers as two of the three officers had lost their firearms.
He further urged families to take care of their officers.
“Take care of your police officers. Even when we are off duty, know where we are,” he said. “Give support to the officers. Police need their families and friends. This job is stressful.” He added that they would stand with officers but not stand for corruption.
“Nothing is more painful than arresting an officer.
Three framed images surrounded by bouquets of flowers and 12 lit white candles paid homage to three police officers who had been killed in recent weeks.
“The job we take on behalf of South Africa is a dangerous job,” said national minister of police Bheki Cele at the memorial service held for the three officers, killed in separate incidents across the Cape Flats this month.
Held at the New Apostolic Church in Tafelsig on Thursday last week, hundreds of officers, family members and friends attended the memorial service honouring constables Lonwabo Kili (30), Siyamcela Ncipa (37) and Arthur Matu (33).
National police commissioner Khehla Sitole and Western Cape police commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula were also in attendance.
Two of the officers had been killed in separate incidents on Friday 17 August. Following the incidents, Jula expressed his shock in a statement.
“In the first incident, an off-duty police constable was shot at on the corner of Sarah Baartman and Symphony Way in Delft at 20:00 as he was picking up someone known to him and his firearm taken. Constable Lonwabo Kili was stationed at Bellville South Police Station,” said Jula in the statement.
“In the second incident another off-duty police constable was shot twice in the head outside the residence of a friend in Site B, Khayelitsha. His firearm was taken during the incident. Constable Siyamcela Ncipa worked at Mowbray Police Station.”
Constable Arthur Matu’s charred remains were found inside his burnt vehicle, also in Khayelitsha.
The memorial service started with a wreath-laying ceremony, where officers laid wreaths on wooden crosses, followed by a candle lighting ceremony.
The Western Cape Provicial Police Band were also present.
Cele said there was a campaign against officers as two of the three officers had lost their firearms.
He further urged families to take care of their officers. “Take care of your police officers. Even when we are off duty, know where we are,” he said. “Give support to the officers. Police need their families and friends. This job is stressful.”
He continued that they would stand with officers but not stand for corruption.
“Nothing is more painful than arresting an officer. But we will. In the Eastern Cape we arrested six officers recently. We arrested 17 in the last three months in the Eastern Cape. When you do your own things, don’t look at us to be part of you,” he said.
Three framed images surrounded by bouquets of flowers and 12 lit white candles paid homage to three police officers who had been killed in recent weeks.
“The job we take on behalf of South Africa is a dangerous job,” said national minister of police Bheki Cele at the memorial service held for the three officers, killed in separate incidents across the Cape Flats this month.
Held at the New Apostolic Church in Tafelsig on Thursday last week, hundreds of officers, family members and friends attended the memorial service honouring constables Lonwabo Kili (30), Siyamcela Ncipa (37) and Arthur Matu (33).
National police commissioner Khehla Sitole and Western Cape police commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula were also in attendance.
Two of the officers had been killed in separate incidents on Friday 17 August. Following the incidents, Jula expressed his shock in a statement.
“In the first incident, an off-duty police constable was shot at on the corner of Sarah Baartman and Symphony Way in Delft at 20:00 as he was picking up someone known to him and his firearm taken. Constable Lonwabo Kili was stationed at Bellville South Police Station,” said Jula in the statement.
“In the second incident another off-duty police constable was shot twice in the head outside the residence of a friend in Site B, Khayelitsha. His firearm was taken during the incident. Constable Siyamcela Ncipa worked at Mowbray Police Station.”
Constable Arthur Matu’s charred remains were found inside his burnt vehicle, also in Khayelitsha.
The memorial service started with a wreath-laying ceremony, where officers laid wreaths on wooden crosses, followed by a candle lighting ceremony. The Western Cape Provicial Police Band were also present.
Cele said there was a campaign against officers as two of the three officers had lost their firearms. He further urged families to take care of their officers. “Take care of your police officers. Even when we are off duty, know where we are,” he said. “Give support to the officers. Police need their families and friends. This job is stressful.”
He continued that they would stand with officers but not stand for corruption.
“Nothing is more painful than arresting an officer. But we will. In the Eastern Cape we arrested six officers recently. We arrested 17 in the last three months in the Eastern Cape. When you do your own things, don’t look at us to be part of you,” he said.