September marked the time of year South Africans pay tribute and appreciation to men and women in blue and Claremont police did just that when they opened a Serenity Garden of Remembrance to commemorate their fallen heroes on Friday 29 September.
“The significance of September is Police Safety Month and the Garden of Remembrance symbolises exactly that: To remember the policemen from Claremont who lost their lives on duty and in execution of their duties,” the station’s Vispol Commander Lt Col Marnus Fourie told People’s Post.
“The event was also graced with a prayer service for the safety for all the community of Claremont with several religious leaders, reverends and special performances form our local school choirs.”
Certificates of commendation were also issued to members of security companies, CIB Security as well as the Cavendish Centre’s security, that was involved in the apprehension of the murder suspects accused of the local waiter, Raymond Matusa’s murder on Thursday 24 August (“Jacket links two men to murder” People’s Post 29 August).
“This was to also recognise their hard work in keeping the community safe, together with the local police. This coming together of our community serves to recognise that we live in a dangerous world and also recognising those that paid the ultimate price,” concluded Fourie.
The event was held in partnership with Harlyn Neighbourhood Watch, U-Turn as well as 17 learners from Golden Grove Primary School and 15 Learners from Livingstone High School. The learners showed their appreciation for police officers in song, dance and poetry readings.
Over 50 community members were also in attendance to honour their local protectors.
The local Community Policing Forum’s (CPF) chair Abdul Kerbelker, local ward councillor Katherine Christie, spiritual leaders, principals and neighbourhood watch leaders, too, came together to remember Claremont’s police members that put their lives on the line daily and those who lost their lives while highlighting the legacy they left behind.
Christie said it was an honour to be included on the day, as she is always in awe of Saps men and women. “I see them as our heroes, they go out on to the front lines for us, for our protection and our safety. I commend Col Louw and Lt Col Fourie and all their colleagues who work tirelessly for us.”
She said from her experience, working with four police stations, she has observed them as being “quite demoralised”.
“I find that their stations are under resourced and understaffed. I would love to see them getting more support, more vehicles, more staff and more resources.
“My heart goes out to the family members of the Saps men and women who died in service of their community.”
