| 2024/08/19 |
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Media Statement PRETORIA – The South African Police Service (SAPS) will host its annual Commemoration Day to honour and pay tribute to women and men in blue who died in the line of duty between April 2023 to March 2024. As a build up to the Commemoration Day that will be held at the Union Buildings on 01 September 2024, the SAPS will honour 39 members who died during this period. Today we pay tribute to our fallen hero, the late Lieutenant Ngwako Frans Mathipa who died on 06 August 2023. The 53-year-old member was attached to the Gauteng Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit within the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and had 31 years of service in the organisation at the time of his passing. Lt Col Frans Mathipe was a lead investigator who was investigating cases relating to crimes against the state. The member was involved in a number of high profile cases including a case involving a syndicate that was behind the illegal sale of electricity vouchers. The syndicate was found to have sold electricity vouchers for half the price. The syndicate defrauded Eskom off millions in this prepaid power scam. Four accused were ultimately found guilty on 16 451 counts of racketeering, electricity theft and theft of the Credit Dispensing Unit (CDU) in December 2016. He was also involved in an investigation involving SANDF members. On 06 August 2023, the member was fatally shot during a drive-by shooting on the N1 highway near the Hamaanskraal Toll plaza. He was shot by an unknown suspect/s and sustained gunshot wounds to his head. He lost control of the vehicle which rolled and landed in a ditch. He was declared dead on the scene. Police have opened a case of murder at the Hammanskraal police station and the investigation still continues. He leaves behind his wife and six children, the youngest being six years old at the time of their father’s passing. Lt Colonel Mathipa’s name and thirty eight others will be engraved on the SAPS memorial wall at the Union Buildings on the 1st of September 2024, as a symbol of gratitude from the nation for the sacrifices he made in serving and protecting the people of this country until his last breath. To Lt Colonel Mathipa, the SAPS flag does not fly because the wind blows it: it flies with the last breath of every police officer who died defending it. May your soul continue to rest in peace. Ends
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