Remarks by the Minister of Police, E.N. Mthethwa at the Funeral Service of the late Major General Tirhani Maswanganyi, SAPS Detective Academy Hall, Hammanskraal, June 27 2013

Programme Director;
The Bereaved Family of Maswanganyi;
All Relatives, Friends and Colleagues of the late General Maswanganyi;
Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Ms Faith Mazibuko;
Acting National Commissioner of Police, General Mazibuko;
Members of the Portfolio Committee on Police present;
All SAPS senior managers and staff present;
Representatives of Civil Society, Political and Religious Fraternities present;
Representatives from the police unions present;
Members of the Community;
Members of the Media;
Ladies and Gentlemen;

"After climbing a great hill, one finds there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk has not yet ended." - Dr Nelson Mandela.

The above words of our iconic Isithwalandwe, ring profoundly in our minds during this time as we remember that our long walk towards a safe and secure South Africa, has not yet ended.  We wish to take this time, to join millions across the globe in wishing the father of the nation, Madiba, a speedy recovery from hospital.  On behalf of the entire South African Police Service (SAPS) family, we are saying our hearts and thoughts are in unison in wishing him a speedy recovery.

Friends and colleagues,

We have convened this morning to celebrate the life and times of General Maswanganyi, a true patriot whom we lost tragically and untimely.  As the police leadership, we want to extend our most heartfelt condolences to his beloved, family, friends, colleagues and the communities of Hammanskraal and Johannesburg respectively, the latter which he served with distinction.

We have come here today to try to comfort and ease the burden of grief of the family that has been robbed of a father, a husband, a precious relative, a friend and a co-worker by the pitiless hand of death.  Equally, we are celebrating his life as a fighter, a leader and an asset to the SAPS and the entire country.

General Maswanganyi's actions demonstrated a character of an individual who dedicated his life to policing.  His academic excellence further affirmed such dedication.  He did not join the SAPS because he had failed in other professions; he joined this department because of passion and commitment to serve.  He put behind his personal interest, just to ensure that those around him are safe from harm and pain. 

The democratic values of our country require the police to serve all and be loyal to the people whose aspirations they serve. However, there are still some manifestations of the old culture of deviance and abuse of power. The Constitution guarantees rights and imposes responsibilities on the citizens of the Republic. Through his actions and words, General Maswanganyi distinguished himself as an exemplary officer, who understood that his task was to serve and not to be served.

He made an indelible mark and distinguished himself during many such crime-prevention operations. In particular, around the Johannesburg cluster and Gauteng province, we have a challenge regarding piracy of CDs, DVDs, cigarettes and clothing.  As part of an initiative to tackle this challenge, General Maswanganyi led from the front.  In doing so, he created many enemies, yet this did not discourage him from working towards ensuring that those who do wrong, face the might of the law.

Those who believe they have an unfettered right to murder others are not worthy of our hard-won freedom and have no place in our society. General Maswanganyi clearly understood that democracy cannot flourish in the midst of criminality. Through his actions and words, there can be no doubt that he despised crime.

Friends and colleagues,

The killing of our police officers remains a worrying factor to us as police leadership and management.  We are certain it is a worry to millions of law-abiding citizens of our country.  We shall never be discouraged to end police killings.  Equally, we shall ensure that those who kill police officers pay the price accordingly. 

We are under no illusion that all of us as law-abiding South Africans, are in the midst of a war; a war that has been declared by heartless criminals on our men and women in blue.  That is why as government we would like to reiterate that we will not be derailed by cowardly acts of violence against our members. 

Today our country is a thriving democracy brought about by the sweat and blood of our forebears, anchored on the liberation struggle that placed human rights and human dignity at its pinnacle. Many noble South Africans dedicated their lives for the betterment and safety of our citizens.  History will judge General Maswanganyi as one of these unsung heroes who dedicated his life towards the safety of the weak and vulnerable.

We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of life and condemn those responsible.  We feel robbed of a dedicated and committed member.  Our team will never be the same without this brave hero.  We are profoundly distressed by the number of our officers who have died in the line of duty.  We shall persist in addressing the dangers that face our heroes and heroines and to find ways of protecting them.

In his memory we must, together as society, serve our people with dedication, humility, care and strive to give efficient service that helps to change the lives of all South Africans for the better.  An important part of our legitimacy as government derives from our commitment to serve the people. That is how we can ensure that General Maswanganyi's contribution is not in vain.

In remembering him, we should as a nation work double hard to partner and support our police officers in this difficult task of fighting crime. 

It is our responsibility both as individuals and as a nation to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.   This occasion, of bidding farewell to this gallant officer must inspire all of us as law-abiding citizens, to defeat crime, in whatever form it manifests itself.

May his soul rest in peace, he will be solely missed.

Robala ka Khotso.

Etlela hi kurhula Tatana Maswanganyi.

I thank you.

Issued by the Ministry of Police, June 27 2013

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