Compiled by Staff Writer
The South African Police Service (SAPS) observed this year’s National Police Day by raising funds for the children of police officers who died in the line of duty.
“On National Police Day, the SAPS remembers the sacrifices that our men and women in blue have made and continue to make as they provide safety for all who live in South Africa,” the police statement read.
National Police Day was approved by the cabinet in 2005, and since then 27 January is observed as such.
According to the latest statistics, over 140 police officers have lost their lives in the line of duty in the last four years.
“The majority of them were breadwinners in their families.”
On Thursday, more than 100 golf players from various corporate companies across the country came together to pledge and raise funds for the South African Police Education Trust Fund.
According to SAPS, R6.6 million rand was raised which will go towards the educational needs of the children.
The fund currently supports children from Grade RR to tertiary level.
So far, 1 078 children have been assisted, 54 of whom have graduated, and 146 have passed the National Senior Certificate.
Police management, led by Police Minister General Bheki Cele, thanked all the sponsors and donors for their support.
“These funds go a long way towards making a meaningful difference in the lives of these children left behind. The least we can do is to ensure they don’t carry the extra burden of stressing about school fees, books, and school uniforms, knowing their educational needs have been taken care of.
“We hope more corporates and the overall business fraternity will in future come on board to support this cause,” he said.
SAPS national commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, thanked all the men and women in blue for risking their lives daily to keep the people of South Africa safe.
“On this day, we pay gratitude to you, our men and women in blue, who work tirelessly to hunt down dangerous criminals, remove illegal and unlicensed firearms, remove drugs from our streets and work hard to ensure successful convictions in court for perpetrators of crime,” Masemola said.
He said from January 2023 to date, 33 police officers were killed on duty. “These killings have to stop, and they will only stop if communities take a stand against them,” Masemola added.
The Police Education Trust Fund is managed by a board of trustees under the leadership of Vuyani Jarana, whose responsibility it is to raise funds to keep children in school.
Pictured above: Police Minister Bheki Cele with the SA Police Education Trust Fund’s Vuyani Jarana and Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
Image Source: X/SAPS
