| 2024/08/30 |
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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 Constable Sithembiso Oscar Makhathini who died on 17 February 2024. The 37-year-old member was attached to the Amangwe police station in KwaZulu-Natal province and had seven years of service in the organisation at the time of his passing. The member was off duty and noticed a business robbery in progress at the local tuck-shop in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal. He immediately drew his service pistol and placed himself on duty. The member was shot by an unknown suspect while responding to the business robbery. The tuck-shop owner was also shot and sustained gunshot wounds. The member was rushed to the Estcourt hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. He was declared deceased at the hospital. Police have opened a case of murder, attempted murder and business robbery at the Estcourt police station and investigation continues. He leaves behind one child who was four years old at the time of his father’s passing. Constable Makhathini’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 Constable Makhathini, 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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