Pretoria - The unnecessary loss of young lives has been lamented by Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Pravin Gordhan.
Speaking on Thursday at the memorial service of his bodyguard, Constable Sello Machete at the Maupa Naga police building in Pretoria, Gordhan described him as person who was committed to his work.
“Why do young people so committed lose their lives so cheaply? It is easy for people to kill one another in this excessively violent society,” Gordhan said. “The culprits responsible for Sello’s death should be arrested, not for revenge but to ensure the justice system of the country is working,” Gordhan said.
Machete, 36, was shot multiple times while sitting in his unmarked police vehicle with his girlfriend Koketso Maleka, 25, outside her home in Stinkwater. Maleka was taken to hospital with a head injury.
Machete’s service pistol was stolen and his Toyota Corolla taken. The car was recovered abandoned a few kilometres away. He was off duty and wasn’t wearing a uniform.
“The one thing that characterised him was his joyfulness,” Gordhan said. “He had a mysterious smile most of the time. He had a way of lightening the atmosphere when things were tough,” the minister stated. Gordhan said ministers often took their VIP protection for granted but Machete’s death had given them an opportunity to reflect on the services of their bodyguards.
“Sello got an opportunity to be a part of two families; the VIP protection family and his own family.”
About 100 colleagues, family members and friends gathered at the police building to celebrate Machete’s life.
Major-General Sello Kwena described Machete as a disciplined officer who was passionate about his work and football. “Sello was a fitness fanatic and used the platforms created by the department, including soccer, where he ensured the success of his division’s team. He was a midfielder but he scored the most goals,” Kwena said.
Simon Machete, brother of the slain officer, said he was still trying to come to terms with Sello’s death.
“I’m still hoping someone will say it is a joke,” Simon said. He recalled how surreal Friday night was after being informed of his brother’s death. “It was only when I got to the scene and saw his body that I could believe he was no more.”
Machete’s funeral will be held on Saturday at 7am at Sekampaneng Primary School in Hammanskraal.
Pretoria News