Sad farewell to constable killed in New Brighton shootout
Dedicated cop always there for colleagues
Slain policeman Bonga Ngcingwana was such a dedicated officer that his colleagues never thought twice about calling him for back-up.
Ngcingwana, 35, a constable who was gunned down on Tuesday last week, while he was on duty, was acknowledged as an exemplary officer at a memorial service in Port Elizabeth yesterday.
He died on his way to Mercantile Hospital following a shootout between police and four men in New Brighton.
He was with his 37-year-old partner, a sergeant, when four men in a silver Toyota Etios jumped out, in the middle of the street, and opened fire on them.
At the service at the NG Church in North End, numerous police officers said they would remember Ngcingwana as fearless and bold.
Constable Sikhumbuzo Dayimani, 38, said Ngcingwana was a hero who died serving his country.
“I received the news when I was attending a course in Graaff-Reinet and I couldn’t believe it. Only when I came back to the police station did it actually sink in.”
Dayimani said he had worked with Ngcingwana for almost eight years.
“We both joined the force in 2009 and we had been working together since 2010 when we joined Mount Road.
“I always knew that working with him would bring success. At times, I’d call him for back-up and he always availed himself. ”Dayimani said Ngcingwana was quiet and humble. “
The job we signed up for is not an easy one for our families.
I say thank you for lending us your son, your husband. He died serving his country.”
Mount Road cluster commander Major-General Thembisile Patekile said the police would not rest until all four suspects had been arrested.“We are here to share the loss and pain the Ngcingwana family is going through.
“Bonga died on duty serving his country. We lost a colleague, a young man who we were still watching grow,” he said.
“We cannot allow our members to be killed. When a person shoots at us we must shoot back. We are not undertakers, we can’t tolerate losing our members.”
He urged police officers to always be vigilant and protect themselves.
Speaking to The Herald on behalf of the family, Xolani Nqompoyi, 56, said they were still in shock.
Ngcingwana left behind his wife Nwabisa, 34, and four children aged 3, 5, 10 and 15.
“It is still painful for us, we had so many expectations from him,” he said.Nqompoyi said it was Nwabisa’s birthday on the day her husband was killed.“He went to work in the morning and we expected him to come back with a smile. Instead, he came back in a coffin, ” he said.Nqompoyi said the family hoped the police would arrest those responsible for his death.
“We are deeply hurt. He is no more and he will never return to us, but it’ll give us closure if the culprits are arrested and locked up.”Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge said there had been no arrests but leads were being followed up.
Ngcingwana will be buried in Osborne, Mount Frere, on Saturday.
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