On Friday 23 July 2010, five members of the National Intervention Unit, including its commander, and two members of the South African Police Service air wing, died in a helicopter crash on their way to the scene of an armed robbery.

 

The horrific helicopter accident is a stark reminder of the danger involved in the work of our police. These were dedicated officers, and fighting crime was their passion and they did so with distinction. Right to the end, these men stayed true to the motto of the police: “To protect and serve”. According to eyewitnesses the pilot, a decorated hero, attempted to keep the helicopter in the air to avoid crashing into surrounding houses, thereby avoiding an even bigger tragedy.

 

It is important that these heroes do not simply become part of statistics. Their memory should be honoured not only in remembering them for the service that they did for our country and her people, but should live on in the commitment to stop those who dishonour our country through criminal activities. We would like to pay tribute to each of the fallen heroes. They were an elite group of officers, drafted into the positions they were because of their dedication, commitment and passion. They were in life and memory an example to all.

 

We would like to send our condolences to the family members and friends of these officers, their police colleagues and the SAPS family as a whole. We know that your loss cannot be described and words cannot fill the emptiness left by this loss. The best way for us to honour their memory is to continue the fight against crime with distinction. May their souls rest in peace.