The latest addition to the memorial wall at the Cape Town Civic Centre is that of LEAP officer Zanikhaya Kwinana. He was gunned down while in his patrol vehicle in Nyanga in August last year.

His name was added to the 68 other staff members of the City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate, 39 of whom died in the line of duty since 1907. The names of 29 staff members who succumbed to COVID-19 in 2022 are also memorialised.

Their sacrifices were honoured at a Remembrance Day service held at the Civic Centre on Saturday. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis highlighted the deep personal connections and sacrifices of these individuals, and emphasised the bravery required to work in law enforcement, fire and rescue services, and disaster risk management.

“Each name on that wall represents a friend, a colleague, a family member. They were heroes long before their ultimate sacrifice.”

Hill-Lewis also addressed the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement officers, noting that there have been over 60 attacks on City law enforcement agencies this year alone.

He recounted a recent incident in Grassy Park where officers were assaulted while responding to a shooting, and another in Hanover Park where an officer was injured during gang violence.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the lenient bail set for attackers, Hill-Lewis called for stronger legislative measures to protect officers.

Hill-Lewis condemned the murder of two security contractors by extortionists in Philippi three months ago, urging the community to assist in identifying and prosecuting criminals.

“We will not allow criminals to take over parts of our city. We need the eyes and ears of good, law-abiding Capetonians to help us.”

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Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, echoed Hill-Lewis’ sentiments, recounting the recent attacks on law enforcement and the critical role of community information in apprehending suspects.

“Bravery is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act in the face of it.”

The annual memorial service, held since 2021, includes symbolic elements such as the Last Call and a moment of silence to honour fallen officers. Smith says this tradition serves as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifices made by those in the line of duty.

“We honour their names still, whether engraved on the memorial wall or in our hearts, they will never be forgotten.”