Presidential unit officer mourned
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.
At the memorial service 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 members.
Thulani Ngwenya, a member of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union’s national executive committee, took the opportunity during the service at the SAPS Tshwane College yesterday to say 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 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 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.”