The two SAPS officers, Vusi Batsha (45) and Kgotso Malahlela (29) who were shot and killed last week Thursday were remembered for their bravery in fighting crime during their state funeral on Saturday.During the service their families breathed a sigh of relief when they heard one of the three suspect in the murder of two police officers was shot by police during a police manhunt on Wednesday night.

ONE SUSPECT CAUGHT

The suspect is in hospital under police guard. The other two suspects are still on the run. The two officers were shot and killed during their line when they responded to a complaint about a tenant who died in a shack at Angelo Squater Camp along Main Reef and Fields road last Thursday.While waiting for the government mortuary to remove the body and emergency services to certify the man dead, they were accosted by three armed suspects who opened fire killing them. The suspects took the two officer's service pistols  and bullet proof vests before fleeing the scene by foot. Speaking during the officer's funeral held at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Kwa-Thema, Major General Annah Sithole explained that she is proud of the officers for hunting down the suspects. She added that they continue pleading with residents who may have information about their whereabouts to come forward.

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JUSTICE FOR THE DECEASED

Sergeant Batsha joined the police service in 2004 while Constable Kgotso Malahlela joined in 2019 and were both attached to the Boksburg North Police Station. Batsha was described as a foot soldier and officer who dedicated his 15 years of his life to fighting crime. While Malahlela joined the force three years ago.Major During the service, Batsha's family pleaded with the law enforcement agencies to seek justice for their deceased family member.The deceased's father, Patrick Batsha said the killers cannot continue with their lives unpunished." My son's life was brutally cut short not because he was committing crime but because he had dedicated his life to fighting crime. " It is going to take us a long time to come to terms with my son's death, we will only start healing when all the suspects are behind bars, " he added.

POLICE TO USE FORCE

Speaking at the memorial service held on Wednesday  at the Freeway Bible Church in Boksburg the minister of police  Bheki Cele commanded the police to use force on criminals who attack the police.
" We cannot wait and idle  while criminals continie  to terrorise the community. We must respond with force by all means necessary. They must be free to counter any potentially lethal attacks by criminals and worry about the consequences later," he explained.