Police Wall of Remembrance

THE family of a slain policeman say they are touched that the Greenwood Park Police Station constructed a Wall of Remembrance honouring him and other officers who died.

The wall was unveiled on Thursday by the Inanda cluster commander, Major-General Raj Ramsaroop.

It contains the names of Captain Basil Naidoo, Sergeant Bucksey Patel and Sergeant Sathasivan Naidoo, who were killed in the line of duty as well as 14 Greenwood Park officers, who died of natural causes over the years.

Basil Naidoo was shot dead, while responding to a house robbery in Athlone Mews, in Riverside, Durban North, in March.

He had 30 years’ service with the South African Police Service.

Sathasivan Naidoo and Patel were killed by criminals in 2000 and 2010 respectively.

Basil Naidoo’s daughter, Lee Anne, said she and her mom, Charmaine, were overcome with emotion at the ceremony.

“It is a fitting gesture by my father’s colleagues at the station to have come up with this idea.

“The crowd of mourners, who turned up for my dad’s funeral after his life was taken by criminals, showed how much he was loved and respected.

“My dad died in the line of duty, while trying to protect the home’s occupants from being terrorised.

“If the wall urges the community to support our men and women in blue to fight crime, then it will be of tremendous benefit to the police and the public.”

In his speech, Ramsaroop said no other profession expected more of an individual serving the community than that of a policeman.

“An officer receives little gratitude, even if he or she goes the extra mile. Instead they are often criticised and abused by the community.

“Officers face serious challenges in an environment where violent criminals have no respect for lives and property. They are our last line of defence to stop criminals from running amok.

“We must support them.

“Apart from hijackings, murders, rapes and other serious crimes, officers sometimes play the roles of social workers when they are called to investigate incidents of domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse.”

Ramsaroop added that the death of an officer created a vacuum in the police station and the community.

“Criminals have shown time and again that they are prepared to go to great lengths to execute robberies, murders, hijackings and other crimes indiscriminately.

“If officers are killed in the line of duty, it gives criminals the edge.”

PICTURE: NINEY RUTHNAM Lieutenant Elvis Naidoo of Greenwood Park SAPS at the Wall of Remembrance.

Lee Ann Naidoo (wearing greeen) and her mother, Charmaine, laid a wreath at the wall. Lee Ann’s dad, Captain Basil Naidoo, was shot dead by a robber in March.