By Teboho Moloi
BLOEMFONTEIN — Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane has urged police officers to turn their grief over Sergeant Tshidiso Lucas Semenyane into renewed resolve to fight crime.
Dimpane was speaking at Semenyane’s funeral service at Seemahale School in Botshabelo on Saturday, 27 September, where the slain officer was described as a dedicated protector and hero.
“We all took an oath to serve and protect. Many of our members paid the ultimate price in different circumstances — others in the hail of bullets and others in car accidents — but the call of service continues and our constitutional mandate remains,” Dimpane said.
“We must not only honour Sergeant Semenyane by mourning, but use his sudden, unexpected death to strengthen our commitment to fighting crime and our resolve in protecting the people of South Africa.”
Semenyane died in a fatal crash on the N8 just outside Bloemfontein while on duty on Saturday, 13 September. He was responding to a complaint with colleagues from Heidedal, Kopanong and Bloemspruit police stations when his police vehicle collided with a minibus.
He was declared dead on the scene. His colleague, Constable Menzeleni Douglas Maqala, who was a passenger in the same vehicle, sustained injuries and was hospitalised but has since been discharged.
“Today, we return Sergeant Semenyane to his family with dignity and honour. His coffin is wrapped in the national flag — a symbol of the Republic he served and the organisation to which he gave more than two decades of his life. Heidedal has lost a dedicated officer,” Dimpane said.
“To Mrs Semenyane, his children, his siblings and family — carry his name with pride. Let his life remind you that he served with purpose, dignity and commitment.”
Dimpane said while his SAPS file is now closed, his legacy will live on.
“Though his SAPS file is closed, we will never close his legacy and the chapter of his service. His name will remain part of the history of the men and women who stood ready to serve when others needed protection.”
Sergeant Semenyane is survived by his wife, Nthabeleng Semenyane, and their three children.A case of culpable homicide has been registered.
