A much-decorated and dedicated police officer, W/O Thomas Ravele (44) of Ha-Ramukhuba in Vuwani, who passed away last week, was given a state funeral over the weekend.

Ravele worked at the Vuwani Police Station and passed away after a long illness.  Family, friends and fellow police officers, led by the station commissioner, Col Heinrich Volgraaff, came in numbers to pay their last respects. A procession some kilometres long was evidence that Ravele had made an impact at work and in the community he lived in.

Speaking during the funeral, Volgraaff said Ravele displayed exceptional dedication and determination in his work. “We are here burying not an ordinary person, but a dedicated officer with many years of service. Throughout his career, he had accumulated many awards, among them long-service awards. We urge all to emulate his good work and to follow in the footsteps of this dedicated officer,” said Volgraaff.

After the service, held at his home, officers marched to the nearby cemetery, where he was buried.

Ravele leaves his wife, Vhonani, and three children.