The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili has on behalf of the organisation and in particular, the Protection Security Services (PSS) division sent her condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the close protector who lost his life to a fatal car accident along the N1 in the Free State, this morning.
Warrant Officer Piet Mdi has been identified as the member who passed on together with the late MEC of Education in the Free State, Mr. Tate Makgoe.
Born and bred in Mangaung in the Free State, the 50-year-old member joined the government in 1996.
From 1996 to 2007, the member was attached to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and was later absorbed into the SAPS within the Protection Security Services (PSS) Division where he served as a static protector. He was later moved to the in-transit VIP protection security services where he served as a close protector to the late MEC Tate Makgoe from 2010 until his untimely death.
The driver of the vehicle has also been identified as Warrant Officer Richard Nkopane. The member is currently in critical condition in the hospital.
The Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS, Lt Gen Tebello Mosikili has paid gratitude to Warrant Officer Mdi for his service to the nation and wished Warrant Officer Nkopane a speedy recovery.
“The death of Warrant Officer Mdi is a great blow to the protection and security services division and the SAPS at large. He has been described by his immediate commander as a quiet, dedicated, committed, and disciplined member. We have mobilised our employee health and wellness experts to provide psychosocial services to the family and colleagues of the deceased member. We are also wishing Warrant Officer Nkopane who is in critical condition a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are also with his family “, said Lt Gen Tebello Mosikili.
To Warrant Officer Piet Mdi, thank you for your selfless service to the nation. May your soul rest knowing that you served your country with pride and distinction. Memorial and funeral service details will be communicated in due course.
The SAPS management also takes this opportunity in sending its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late MEC, Mr. Tate Makgoe. May his soul rest in peace.