Honor, Duty, and Sacrifice: North West SAPS Holds Annual Commemoration Service for Fallen Officers
Held at the SAPS Memorial Site at the Westpol Square Building in Potchefstroom, the service brought together police management, active-duty officers across all ranks, political leaders, and the bereaved families of the fallen.
The ceremony was officially officiated by the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Community Safety and Transport Management, Virginia "Tsotso" Tlhapi.
Remembering the Fallen of the 2025/2026 Financial Year
The annual provincial service serves as a formal platform to honor the courage and ultimate sacrifice of officers stationed across the province who died while serving the public during the preceding 12-month period.
Highlighted Sacrifice: Constable Gift Mota
Among those remembered during the provincial observances was 25-year-old Constable Gift Mota, attached to the Visible Policing Crime Prevention Unit at the Phokeng Police Station.
The Incident: On 6 February 2026, Constable Mota and his team responded to a community report regarding a suspect linked to robberies and burglaries near the Masosobane and Raffredy sections in Phokeng.
The Pursuit: When the suspect fled into a local dam to evade arrest, Constable Mota pursued the suspect into the water.
During the attempt to apprehend the suspect, Mota submerged and disappeared. His body was subsequently recovered by the SAPS Diving Unit.
Key Proceedings and Official Statements
The commemoration service highlighted the broader challenges faced by law enforcement across South Africa, emphasizing institutional accountability, community safety, and support for grieving families.
Call for Tighter Legislation: In her address, MEC Virginia "Tsotso" Tlhapi acknowledged the persistent hazards facing officers daily. She advocated for strengthened legislative frameworks to afford greater protection and safety to law enforcement officers operating in dangerous conditions.
Community Responsibility: MEC Tlhapi stressed that combating crime requires public participation, urging residents of townships and rural villages to report illegal activities and assist police in apprehending criminal syndicates.
Institutional Leadership: Lieutenant General Arthur Adams called on all active SAPS personnel throughout the North West to fulfill their duties with integrity, pride, and unwavering commitment, carrying forward the legacy of their fallen colleagues.
National Context and Continued Legacy
The North West provincial ceremony follows the SAPS National Police Commemoration Day held earlier in September at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where officers lost across all nine provinces during the 2025/2026 cycle were added to the National Roll of Honour.
As the names of the fallen are etched into the provincial memorial site in Potchefstroom, provincial authorities reiterated their commitment to providing long-term structural and financial support to the surviving families of officers killed in the line of duty.
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