THE widow of a police officer who died in a car accident last year has praised the SA Police Service for having supported her throughout and after the tragedy.
Matshidiso Motlhabi's husband died in an accident in Rustenburg on his way to a crime scene after responding to a call for help.
Captain Piet Thebeitsile Motlhabi, who was stationed in Phokeng township near Rustenburg, was described as a fighter and go-getter.
"I feel cared for when I see a gathering like this. This makes me feel that I am not enduring this pain alone," Motlhabi said at an occasion yesterday to honour men and women in blue who died in the line of duty in Mahikeng.
Motlhabi said the government and SAPS had been very supportive since her husband died last year.
Mojalefa Noko, brother of Julia Noko who died in December while responding to a call for help in Zeerust, said the commemoration reminded him of her sister, who was passionate about her work.
Noko had served the SAPS for 19 years.
"I suspect my sister would have been a police commissioner by now. I miss her," Mojalefa said.
Deputy provincial commissioner, William Mpempe, human settlement and public safety MEC Desbo Mohono, senior members of the SAPS, including retired officers, placed wreaths at the "martyrs' column" erected on the parade ground.
Mpempe encouraged fellow police officers to protect themselves with all the means at their disposal if they felt their lives were under threat.
"We will always defend the public against criminals even if our lives are in danger," Mpempe said.
"We want to reduce the number of deaths in the province in particular and the country in general.
"We encourage police to always wear their bulletproof vest and, carry their guns and pepper sprays when they are called out to a crime scene."
Mohono said the families of the dead police officers must not shy away from asking for help from the government.
"Our doors are always open. I want to reassure all the families who have lost loved ones that we will never forget the men and women who died while protecting our communities. We share in their pain," Mohono said.
A tribute to police
THE widow of a police officer who died in a car accident last year has praised the SA Police Service for having supported her throughout and after the tragedy.
Matshidiso Motlhabi's husband died in an accident in Rustenburg on his way to a crime scene after responding to a call for help.
Captain Piet Thebeitsile Motlhabi, who was stationed in Phokeng township near Rustenburg, was described as a fighter and go-getter.
"I feel cared for when I see a gathering like this. This makes me feel that I am not enduring this pain alone," Motlhabi said at an occasion yesterday to honour men and women in blue who died in the line of duty in Mahikeng.
Motlhabi said the government and SAPS had been very supportive since her husband died last year.
Mojalefa Noko, brother of Julia Noko who died in December while responding to a call for help in Zeerust, said the commemoration reminded him of her sister, who was passionate about her work.
Noko had served the SAPS for 19 years.
"I suspect my sister would have been a police commissioner by now. I miss her," Mojalefa said.
Deputy provincial commissioner, William Mpempe, human settlement and public safety MEC Desbo Mohono, senior members of the SAPS, including retired officers, placed wreaths at the "martyrs' column" erected on the parade ground.
Mpempe encouraged fellow police officers to protect themselves with all the means at their disposal if they felt their lives were under threat.
"We will always defend the public against criminals even if our lives are in danger," Mpempe said.
"We want to reduce the number of deaths in the province in particular and the country in general.
"We encourage police to always wear their bulletproof vest and, carry their guns and pepper sprays when they are called out to a crime scene."
Mohono said the families of the dead police officers must not shy away from asking for help from the government.
"Our doors are always open. I want to reassure all the families who have lost loved ones that we will never forget the men and women who died while protecting our communities. We share in their pain," Mohono said.
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