By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Over R6 million in funds has been pledged for the children of slain police officers as the country commemorates National Police Day on Saturday.
Cabinet approved 27 January as National Police Day in 2005 to honour the sacrifices that the men and women in blue make each day.
Over the last four years, 140 police officers lost their lives in the line of duty; the majority of them the breadwinners of their families.
Golfers from several corporate companies clubbed together earlier in the week to raise funds for the South African Police Service Education Trust (SAPSET).
On Thursday, more than 100 golf players from various corporate companies across South Africa pledged and raised funds for the SAPSET, which currently funds the educational needs of children from Grade RR to the tertiary level. The effort resulted in a total of R6 678 256 being raised for the cause.
The cause was held at the Strand Golf Club on 25 January. The SAPSET was established by the South African Police Service on 23 November 2010 to provide educational support to the children of deceased members.
“These are men and women in blue who died in the line of duty, serving and protecting all people living in South Africa,” said National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.
The fund caters for the needs of children from grade RR right up to tertiary level.
“To date, the fund has assisted 1078 children. Fifty-four of them have graduated and 146 of them have completed and are in possession of a National Senior Certificate, “elaborated Mathe.
Police Minister Bheki Cele thanked all sponsors and donors, saying the funds go a long way towards making a meaningful difference in the lives of the affected children.
“The least we can do is to ensure these children dont carry an extra burden of stressing about school fees, books, school uniform 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.”
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola paid tribute to the men and women in blue for their commitment to serving the country.
“Let’s continue to work hard to rid our country off criminality. We urge communities to embrace our police officers and work together with them to stop the killing of our own.”
Thirty-three police officers have been killed in the line of duty since January 2023 to date.
Meanwhile Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen led a crime awareness rally outside the Soshanguve Police Station on Saturday, 27 January.
The area was thrust back into the spotlight in recent weeks following a mass shooting that claimed the lives of an off-duty police officer, a 14-year-old girl, and two others.
“The DA has a plan to rescue South Africa from the scourge of lawlessness and wanton criminality, to create safer streets and communities for all South Africans. Communities such as Soshanguve deserve to live and raise their children in a safe environment, that only the DA can bring,” read the party’s statement about the rally.