Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has led the annual commemoration in honour of police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty across South Africa.
Between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, 34 police officers and reservists died in service.
President Ramaphosa emphasised the importance of justice for the families of these fallen officers, highlighting the arrest of 76 suspected police murderers over the past year by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, known as the Hawks.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the deaths of police officers who died in the line of duty cannot be in vain. He says the police must remain steadfast in fighting crime. Ramaphosa was delivering the keynote address at the SAPS’ annual commemoration ceremony. #DStv403 #eNCA pic.twitter.com/jw9zZy5qQQ
— eNCA (@eNCA) September 3, 2023
Since 2018, a total of 488 suspects have been arrested for the deaths of police officers.
Ramaphosa said that nine convicted police killers have received life sentences totalling 158 years in prison.
He called for continued efforts to arrest, prosecute, and convict those who undermine the authority of the state.
President Ramaphosa praised the dedication and sacrifice of police officers and called on serving officers to ensure that the deaths of their colleagues are not in vain by remaining steadfast in the fight against crime.
He also stressed the need to improve the well-being of police officers, both on and off duty, and urged communities to speak out against police killings.
[WATCH] “The time has come for the police to demonstrate that they can take on these criminals like the police did in Limpopo”. -President Cyril Ramaphosa speaking at the SAPS commemoration day event. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/cfo99Wp9CH
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 3, 2023
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
