Pretoria - The death of a member of the Presidential Protection Services has once more raised the debate surrounding the delayed review and increase in the danger allowance for members of the police.
During the memorial service held in honour of Warrant Officer Thomas Shongwe, 56, who died in a road crash in Middelburg while travelling to Gauteng as part of Deputy President David Mabuza’s convoy, unions once more criticised the delay in the increase of the danger allowance for its members.
Thulani Ngwenya, a member of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union’s national executive committee, took the opportunity during the service held at the SAPS Tshwane College yesterday to say that it was heartbreaking to hear how the family had lost their sole breadwinner.
Ngwenya challenged Police Minister Bheki Cele and Acting President Angie Motshekga, who were in attendance, how long it would be that police officers would continue to die while their lives remained worth only R400.
“These members are expected to wear suits every day and protect the executive of the country, all the while expected not to be home with their families, working overtime for R400?
“We are under attack and the community is against us because we are not delivering the services, but who will protect us as we protect them? Shongwe’s commander proudly said he was the protector of citizen number two, but what does that mean?”
In response, Cele said there was no need to call each other out at events, as the leadership had long waited for unions to indicate when they wanted to hold a summit to thrash out this and other issues plaguing the police.
Cele assured the family that they would get what was due to them.
Shongwe’s immediate commander, Colonel Mogomotsi Motsamai, said “Malome” (uncle), as the officer was affectionately known, was a quiet, punctual and committed member who had joined the force in 1991.
Motsamai said Shongwe, who had 31 years of uninterrupted service in the force, was someone who could be counted on when it came to delivering at work.
“We thank the family for lending him to us and we’re sorry for your loss. Malome will always be in our hearts and, to my brother (Shongwe), the SAPS flag does not move because the wind blows, but it moves because of the last breath of an officer who died protecting this flag.”
Motshekga said just as teachers were important for the country’s future generation, so too were the police as without them there was no state.
She said the police were the country’s protectors and the first line of defence, hence she wanted to salute Shongwe as a true soldier who had died with his boots on.
“To the family, I know you’re poorer without him but take solace in the knowledge that your loss is shared across the land.”
An investigation has been launched into the crash, according to national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who said the findings would be made known.
According to reports, it appears that a tyre burst, causing the vehicle in which Shongwe and two other officers were travelling to overturn.
One officer remains in hospital, while the other officer was reportedly discharged and is recovering at home.
Pretoria News