Two members of the Community Policing Forum (CPF) attached to the Vhulaudzi Police satellite station died in an accident on New Year’s Day.

The MEC of Safety, Security and Liaison in Limpopo, Mr Ratshivhanda Ndou, together with the mayor of Makhado Municipality, Ms Mavhungu Luruli, visited the bereaved families of the two on Tuesday.

According to the Station Commissioner of the Siloam Police, Senior Supt Ronnie van Niekerk, the fatal accident happened at Dopeni Village at around 22:00. “The CPF members, together with members of our police team, were returning from assisting the police with the crime awareness campaign that was held at Mphephu Resort, when the accident happened, claiming the lives of two dedicated CPF members. They were Kanukani Matshidza (18) and Khathutshelo Mafunisa (19),” he said.

He added that the accident, which involved a police van and a Toyota Conquest, happened when the police driver was accompanying the young people home after engaging in the war against crime campaign with an aim of creating peace in the community during the festive season.

According to Van Niekerk, one of the CPF members got sick on the way, which forced the driver to accompany her to the hospital for her to get assistance. “They were on their way to the hospital when a private car, which was driven by one of our members who was off duty, collided with the van,” he outlined 

MEC Ndou and Mayor Luruli visited the other four injured victims at Siloam Hospital before visiting the Mafunisa family of Phadzima Village and the Matshidza family of Bvuvha village in the Dzanani area.

During his visit to Matshidza’s family at Bvuvha, MEC Ndou said that it was very touching that the brave members of the CPF passed away trying to protect community members against criminals. “The job which these young people were doing was essential to the community and, through their assistance, the police were slowly winning the war against crime,” he said.

The deceased Kanukani Matshidza (18) was a Grade 11 learner at Johannes Mulambilu Secondary school.

Ndou promised that the police would contribute in all the funeral arrangements, to ensure that the young hero and heroine receive a respectable burial.

According to the family members, the two will be laid to rest tomorrow (Saturday).