Farewell to a dedicated policeman

Limpopo Police Commissioner Lt Gen Fannie Masemola (front left) and other senior police officials at the funeral.

Farewell to a dedicated policeman

A huge crowd of people from all over the country gathered at Tshivhilidulu village outside Thohoyandou on Saturday, to give the slain W/O Thomas Mabada a befitting send-off. He was accorded a full police funeral.

Among the dignitaries who attended the funeral were Transport, Safety and Liaison MEC, Ms Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana, Limpopo police commissioner Lt Gen Fannie Masemola, Cllr Tshitereke Matibe, the executive mayor of Vhembe, and Mayor Grace Mahosi of Thulamela. The event took place in a big tent at the gate of the local cemetery.

Mabada (52), of Tshivhilidulu, who was attached to the Siloam Police Station, was killed while pursuing armed robbers from Siloam towards the Thohoyandou area at Lwamondo.

Family spokesperson Zakes Mabada said his death had left them with sore hearts and that they believed his burial would ease the pain the family was feeling. “Thomas was a unifier and leader in the family, and we had hoped that, with his wisdom, he would lead us for many years, but death robbed us of this genius. His death left a void that will be hard to fill,” he said.

Limpopo CPF chairperson Mr Edward Mafune urged communities to work in conjunction with the police in the fight against crime. Lt Gen Masemola urged the police not to hesitate to defend themselves, their colleagues and the community. "We have given you the equipment and trained you how to use them. We cannot allow you to die with your guns and your magazines full of bullets," he said.

MEC Mapula Mokaba- Phukwana reiterated Pres Jacob Zuma’s call for the police to fight fire with fire when their lives and those of others are in danger, but within the bounds of the law. Mabada is the 73rd police casualty killed in the line of duty countrywide this year. He is the first to be killed on duty in Limpopo and three others have been killed off duty in the province.

MEC Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana is being asisted by Lt Gen Fannie Masemola, in laying a wreath at W/O Mabada's grave.

Lt Gen Masemola hands over the national flag, which was initially draped over the coffin of W/O Mabada, to MEC Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana, who presented it to the the wife of the deceased, Capt Cecilia Mabada (seated right).

Mabada's casket in the tent where the service was held.

Senior police officers lead police members to the gravesite where Mabada was finally laid to rest.

Date:13 November 2015

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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