Cop who died in Soweto flash floods was 'ever smiling and positive'

Ever-smiling and quiet. This is how a colleague and a former mentor in the police described W/O Ntsako Pataka, whose body was recovered in Soweto, Johannesburg on Sunday morning.

The 37-year-old off-duty officer's private vehicle was swept away in a flash flood during heavy rain on Friday.

Police trainer Thulisile Ntuli said she worked with Pataka when  he joined the service in 2007 and he was in a group she was training.

Pataka was attached to the protection and security services, serving as an in-transit VIP protector.

Ntuli said she worked with him until he went on an advanced course and became a VIP protector.

“He was one of the members who took the training positively. We became close because I couldn’t pronounce his surname properly and I nicknamed him Taka. He was a very nice man, ever smiling, he never had any anger issues.”

She said he was always positive  at work and very fit.

“I couldn’t believe it when I heard he passed away. I believe even that day he was fighting for his life because he was a strong person.

“Always positive, ever-smiling and a quiet person,” Ntuli said.

National police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola sent condolences to the deceased officer's family, friends and colleagues.

“This is a tragic end for us as the SAPS and the family of the member, we were hoping for a positive outcome. We thank all teams involved in this [search] operation for their efforts in finding the body of the deceased member,” said Masemola.

Some of his colleagues posted condolences on the police Facebook page.

Tumane Mbongo wrote: “Rest easy my colleague, Pata, as I call [you] and [you would] just smile. That's a great loss to the organisation , forever remembered and missed. God be with [your] family in this difficult time.”

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