The South African Police Service (SAPS) will host its annual Commemoration Day to honour and pay tribute to women and men in blue who died in the line of duty between April 2023 to March 2024. As a build up to the Commemoration Day that will be held at the Union Buildings on 01 September 2024, the SAPS will honour 39 members who died during this period. Today we pay tribute to our fallen hero, the late Warrant Officer Gaonathebe Diphephenyane who died on 18 July 2023. The 34-year-old member was attached to the Division: Detective and Forensic Services in the Northern Cape, and had 14 years of service in the organisation at the time of his passing. On 17 July 2023, the member was travelling from Kimberly to Rustenburg on an official trip to testify in a court case. He was hijacked by unknown suspects who hit him with a blunt object and strangled him to death. The deceased's remains was found dumped next to the road in Klerkskraal outside Ventersdorp in North West. He was sadly certified deceased on 18 July 2023. The suspects fled the scene with the member's belongings including cellphone, money and police vehicle. Police arrested four suspects in connection with the murder of Warrant Officer Diphephenyane and have already appeared in the Ventersdorp Magistrates' Court facing charges of murder, carjacking and robbery. He leaves behind two children, the youngest being four year at the time of their father's passing. Warrant Officer Diphephenyane's name and thirty eight others will be engraved on the SAPS memorial wall at the Union Buildings on the 1st of September 2024, as a symbol of gratitude from the nation for the sacrifices he made in serving and protecting the people of this country until his last breath. To Warrant Officer Diphephenyane, the SAPS flag does not fly because the wind blows it: it is flying with the last breath of every police officer who died defending it. May your soul continue to rest in peace
Source : South African Police Service
