Central SA
Millions raised to secure future of children of slain police officers─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 09:26 Sat, 27 Jan 2024
"The least we can do is ensure these children do not carry an extra burden of stressing about school fees, books and school uniforms, knowing their educational needs have been taken care of."
The children of over a hundred police officers, who were killed in the line of duty, will benefit from millions raised by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
This is after more than a hundred golf players from various companies across the country came together to pledge and raise funds for the police's Education Trust Fund (SAPSET) on Thursday (25/1).
'R6,6 million was raised for the educational needs of children'
Athlenda Mathe, national police spokesperson, says SAPSET has assisted 1 078 children to date. Fifty-four have graduated, while 146 have completed school and obtained a National Senior Certificate. She said SAPSET funds children from grade RR until the tertiary level.
"Today we remember 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. In the last four years, we have lost 140 police officers in the line of duty.
"These are men and women in blue who died in the line of duty, serving and protecting people who live in the country. The majority of them were breadwinners in their families, so earlier this week we held a fundraising event," she added.
SAPS' final salute to Constable Nosipho Zuma in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday (27/1). Facebook
Mathe further said Cabinet approved 27 January as National Police Day in 2005.
Meanwhile, Minister Bheki Cele paid gratitude to all sponsors and donors who came on board to cement a bright future for the children.
Bheki Cele, Police Minister, at SAPS' fundraising event. Facebook
"These funds go a long way in making a meaningful difference in the lives of these children left behind. The least we can do is ensure they don't carry an extra burden of stressing about school fees, books and school uniforms, knowing their educational needs have been taken care of," said Cele.
Fannie Masemola, National Police Commissioner, urged communities to embrace and work together with SAPS to ensure the killing of police officers comes to an end.
He said 33 police officers were murdered on duty since January 2023 and that the SAPS will keep working tirelessly to remove illegal and unlicensed firearms and drugs from the streets.
