SAPS mourns six members killed in separate accidents
Four of the six deceased police officers were killed in a vehicle accident on Sunday while the additional two were struck by a vehicle while they were combing an unrelated accident scene, on the same day.
PRETORIA, April 27 (ANA) – National commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) General Khehla John Sitole on Tuesday conveyed “heartfelt” condolences to the families, friends, relatives and colleagues of six members of the law enforcement agency who died in the line of duty in two separate accidents in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.
Four of the deceased police officers were killed in a vehicle accident on Sunday while the additional two were struck by a vehicle while they were combing an unrelated accident scene, on the same day.
“The organisation has been dealt a severe blow by the sudden passing of these young energetic members. The news of their untimely passing has sent shockwaves through the corridors of every police precinct in the country,” said Sitole.
“We take this opportunity to thank their families for allowing their children to serve the people of this country with diligence until their very last breathe.”
In the Eastern Cape, national police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo, said the four police officers were travelling back home from the Chris Hani District where they were part of a SAPS team that had been conducting crime prevention and awareness campaigns.
“According to preliminary investigations, the four were killed instantly following a collision between the police vehicle they were travelling in and a truck near Engcobo. A fifth person whose identity is known also died at the scene of the accident,” Naidoo said.
“The deceased police members have been identified as 34-year-old Constable Buqaqawuli Nyembezi, who was attached to the Mount Ayliff sector teams. The member had ten years service. The second victim has been identified as 35-year-old Constable Frank Lila. This member had 10 years service and was also attached to the Mount Ayliff sector teams.
The third police officer who was killed in the accident was 28-year-old Constable Lungelo Nogqala, who had been in law enforcement for three years and was attached to the Sulenkama community service centre.
The fourth victim was identified as 31-year-old Ntombikayise Landu, who was secretary to the district commander of the Alfred Nzo District.
“On the same day, two members stationed at the Harding police station in Kwa-Zulu Natal died after they were struck by a vehicle. At the time of the incident, the pair was busy combing an accident scene for clues when they were struck. The pair sadly succumbed to their injuries on scene,” said Naidoo.
“These members have been identified as 36-year-old Sergeant Alfred Gqumani and 34-year-old Constable Sifiso Ngcobo.”
Naidoo said the SAPS employee health and wellness unit, which comprises of psychologists and chaplains has been deployed to provide support to the families of the deceased, as well as their colleagues who attended to both accident scenes.
He said the SAPS will communicate memorial and funeral details in due course.
African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Naomi Mackay
