Slain police officers honoured for their service

Slain Durban police officer, Sergeant Riyadh Ismail Adam, will be honoured for serving and protecting the people of his country.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) will host its annual Commemoration Day on September 1 to honour and pay tribute to women and men in blue who died in the line of duty between April 2023 and March 2024.

Adam, 41, was shot dead on November 19, 2023, when he responded to an armed robbery at jewellery stores at the Pavilion Shopping Mall in Westville.

Suspects fled in two vehicles and in the ensuing chase the suspects in one of the getaway vehicles opened fire on the police vehicle hitting Adam on the right side of his upper body. Adam was rushed to Westville Hospital where he passed away.

Adam’s and 38 others will be engraved on the SAPS memorial wall at the Union Buildings, as a symbol of gratitude from the nation for the sacrifices he made in serving and protecting the people of this country until his last breath.

The father of two, who was stationed at the Cato Manor Police Station, served the police service for 15 years.

Adam's sister, Nadia Adam, said while the family were glad that her brother is going to be honoured for his dedication, it would be a bittersweet time for the family.

"Losing my brother was a huge loss to the family and his two children. His son turned 10 two days after he was killed. He was my only sibling. We all have our days when we are down. Although we knew Riyadh was in a risky job we didn't expect something like this to happen to him and he was only 41.

"I had spoken to my brother less than an hour before the shooting and he was at a voter registration centre. When a friend told me about the shooting I thought it couldn't be my brother. We rushed to the hospital but it was too late," she said.

Nadia said something needed to be done to protect ordinary citizens and the police from criminals.

"Criminals have more say than citizens and law enforcement officers. Jewellery stores are once again being robbed as we have seen in the last week," said Nadia.