Pretoria: Deputy President Paul Mashatile is scheduled to join the families of police officers and reservists who lost their lives in the line of duty at the annual South African Police Service (SAPS) Commemoration Day on Sunday, 7 September 2025. This poignant event will be held at the SAPS Memorial Site, located at the Union Buildings.
According to South African Government News Agency, this year’s commemoration will honour 27 members of the SAPS who have tragically fallen while serving in the twelve months from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. Every year, on the first Sunday of September, the nation pays tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service and protection of its citizens.
Last year, the country honoured the 39 women and men in blue who died in the line of duty between April 2023 to March 2024. Their names have been engraved on the SAPS memorial wall at the Union Buildings as a symbol of gratitude for the sacrifices made in serving and protecting the nation.
Speaking at last year’s commemoration day, the Deputy President said an attack on the SAPS is an assault on the state itself and that those responsible for such acts, equivalent to treason, must face decisive action. National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola emphasized that police officers must not die with their service firearms in their holsters when criminals refuse to surrender and start firing. In such situations, police have a duty to protect their lives, as well as those of their colleagues and all community members.
The Deputy President also acknowledged the dangers of being a police officer, highlighting the anxiety officers face knowing they may leave their family for work and never return. He stressed the urgent need for a collaborative approach to tackle internal challenges within the SAPS. This includes addressing low morale among officers, the involvement of some members in criminal activities, and issues related to ageing infrastructure. He believes that such measures are essential to empower the police force to effectively fulfil their constitutional obligations and serve the community.