Cape Town - The police will remain focused and committed to their duties despite the latest police killings, and will not allow a situation where criminals are in charge of the country, says Western Cape police chief Lieutenant-General Arno Lamoer.
He was speaking at the Hanover Park Civic Centre on Wednesday during a memorial service for slain Philippi policeman, Warrant Officer Douglas Moses. Hundreds of people, among them police officers, community members and dignitaries gathered to pay their respects to Moses.
Moses, 50, of Woodlands, Mitchells Plain, was shot dead while on a patrol in Philippi last Friday.
One of the suspects was killed during the incident and another was taken into custody.
Moses’s death brings to four the number of police offers killed in Cape Town in a matter of weeks.
Lamoer said he was privileged to have had the opportunity of training Moses in the beginning of his career. He described Moses as “more of a brother than a colleague. He was always willing to walk the extra mile in his duties.”
Before the memorial service a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Philippi police station. Two wreaths were placed next to a wooden cross that has been erected in Moses’s memory. A moment of silence was observed, after which Moses’s colleagues performed a musical item.
Community Safety MEC Dan Plato condemned the latest spate of police killings. “It’s devastating… something that can’t be tolerated. I hope today is the last sad tale,” he said.
Delivering the obituary, Lieutenant- Colonel Chris Petersen said “Dougie”, as Moses was affectionately known, completed about 16 police courses. Moses served in the police force for 28 years.
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) would contribute R15 000 towards Moses’s funeral, provincial secretary Mncedisi Mbolekwa said at the memorial service.
Moses’s widow, Sybil, dressed in black, sat in the front row flanked by family members.
Family member Gwen Engel described Moses as a man who lived for his wife, family and work. “He was dedicated to his job. He was always smiling and I never saw him sad,” she said.
Deputy Minister of International Relations Marius Fransman also attended the memorial service.
Premier Helen Zille said people who killed police officers should be jailed for a long time without parole.
Moses’s funeral will be held at Glendale Primary School at 8.30am on Saturday.
Cape Argus