Family, friends, and colleagues said their final farewells to slain Muizenberg policeman Captain Siphumeze Lusasa, 37, at a memorial service on Thursday January 26.
Captain Lusasa was stabbed to death on Saturday January 21 while on standby duty in Khayelitsha.
Members of his family, the community police forum, colleagues, and the Veterans Football Club, of which he was a member, paid tribute to him.
The acting station commander at Muizenberg police station, Lieutenant Colonel Jacques Lourens, said Captain Lusasa was a strong leader who could fulfil any role at the station.
Captain Lusasa joined SAPS in 2012. He completed his basic training in 2014 and was appointed as a warrant officer. He worked as a legal officer at the Muizenberg police station after completing his law degree.
Lieutenant Colonel Lourens said he had been promoted to captain in 2016, and he listed all the courses Captain Lusasa had completed and medals he had earned throughout his service.
“He received the centenary medal in 2013 and the ten-year loyal service medal in 2022. He was not only a colleague but a friend, and a very strong friend. It is going to be very difficult for us as there is no replacement for Lusasa. Lusasa was Lusasa,” he said.
Veterans Football Club member Jado Gourgel recalled the day he and his brother, Samurai, had met Captain Lusasa, affectionately called “Spura”, by the team.
A visibly emotional Mr Gourgel said he had met him about five years ago and Captain Lusasa enquired about joining the team. They exchanged numbers and the next week he was there.
He was a striker.
“From that point in time, Spura showed consistency, Spura showed responsibility, and Spura showed powerful leadership.”
He recalled that when asked what he did for a living, Captain Lusasa would joke and say he was a member of the secret service.
Muizenberg chief provisioning clerk Samantha Plaatjies said Captain Lusasa would be missed.
“He was a strong leader and fulfilled many roles in the station. He would look after admin, HR, and visible policing when needed, and we could always count on him. He did things by the book, was very fair, and very nice. My heart is very sore,” she said.
Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) shop steward Bulelani Mayipheli, who is stationed at Muizenberg police station, said he and Captain Lusasa had been very close. He said his death had created a huge void at the station.
“It was difficult to get [police] officers to our meetings, but he would always attend, listen with interest and engage in conversation. He was the bridge between higher level and lower level staff,” he said,
After the service, Muizenberg police spokesman Captain Stephen Knapp said Captain Lusasa was a commissioned officer and in a position of authority.
“We will miss his infectious smile, that is one thing he was very well known for, and as a manager and senior member at the station he will be sorely missed.”
The man accused of his murder, Yanga Madolo, a 40-year-old nurse from Khayelitsha District Hospital, appeared in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday January 24. He faces a charge of murder.
Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) spokesperson Zinzi Hani said Captain Lusasa was allegedly stabbed after an argument over parking space with Mr Madolo’s girlfriend at a “popular eParkini hang-out spot” along Spine Road in Khayelitsha.
Mr Madolo later handed himself over to Lingelethu police.
