The loss of one police officer is one too many for the security of our country and the South African Police Service (SAPS).These were the words uttered by KwaZulu-Natal Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General Phumelele Makoba, at the funeral of slain Sergeant Sibongiseni Khoza who was laid to rest on Saturday, 6 April.
Sgt Khoza answered his final call of duty when he responded to a crime report in Sundumbili on Friday, 29 March, where he was unfortunately shot and killed in the line of duty. His funeral service at the Tongaat Town Hall was attended by Police Minister General Bheki Cele, Maj-Gen Makhoba, who heads Responsible Policing and Operations, senior SAPS management, and his colleagues in the force as well as his friends and family.
Maj-Gen Makhoba said: “We do not have sufficient members and human resources within the SAPS, so a loss of one member is one too many. Currently we are approaching the election period where we will need enough members to man voting stations, protect communities, and fight crime. Losing even one member dampens the spirit.”
Lirandzu Themba, Police Ministry spokesperson, said “On the night of the incident, Sgt Khoza and two other officers were responding to a complaint of a gunman that was randomly shooting at a homestead around the Sundumbili area in the Ilembe District. When approached by police, the armed suspect opened fire on the officers, Sgt Khosa was struck by a single shot in the forehead and died instantly. Sgt Khoza is a hero who lost his life protecting the people of South Africa.”
Speaking at the funeral, Cele urged police to protect each other and defend themselves when facing criminals, adding that he would rather answer for killed criminals than bury more police officers. “Criminals plan to eliminate whoever is in their way. We won’t stop protecting communities but we must not be collecting your dead bodies,” said Cele.
