Captain Nel's funeral was held at the Durban Christian Centre on Friday
Image: Supplied
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has warned that those responsible for the cold-blooded murder of a police officer last week, will be brought to book.
"I can assure you, all of you who are here, that we'll find them. We will find the killers, dead or alive. We will find them pretty soon," Mkhwanazi said.
He was speaking at the funeral service of Captain Louis Nel, who was killed in an apparent ambush in Mount Edgecombe, north of the Durban CBD, on Thursday last week.
At the time, IOL reported that Nel and his partner were ambushed in Flanders Drive.
"KZN VIP Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene alongside security partners, where they found a vehicle riddled with bullet holes and two injured officers," added KZN VIP spokesperson, Gareth Naidoo.
Advanced life support was initiated for the critically injured officer, who was stabilised on scene before being airlifted to a nearby hospital for urgent care. He remains under care.
Captain Louis Nel
Image: Supplied
Premier Thami Ntuli and Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi today joined mourners, members of the South African Police Service, family and friends in paying their final respects to the late Captain Louis Nel.
Image: Supplied
Delivering his speech at Nel's funeral, held at the Durban Christian Centre church in Mayville on Friday, Mkhwanazi said the policeman's death had struck at the heart of the South African Police Service.
"The service has a lot of employees," he told mourners, before explaining the enormous role played by Crime Intelligence in the province's war against violent crime.He said Nel was not an ordinary officer.
"So, the role played by the division of Crime Intelligence, for which Captain Nel was working for, is very important in the fight against crime in the province."
Mkhwanazi revealed that Nel had also served as a highly trained Special Task Force operator, one of the country's elite tactical units tasked with taking down dangerous criminals.
"So, he was not just a collector, a person who shares information, but a person who can respond when the contact comes his way," he said.
He reflected on the tragedy that unfolded on the day Nel was killed. "Unfortunately, on the day he could not do that, hence he's here," he said.
Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, senior police officials, SAPS members, devastated relatives and friends packed the church to honour the fallen officer, described as a fearless crime fighter and elite operator.
Ntuli described Captain Nel as a courageous and committed law enforcement officer who dedicated his life to protecting the people of KZN."Captain Nel will be remembered for his bravery, dedication to duty, and selfless service to the nation. May his soul rest in eternal peace and rise in glory," the Premier said.
IOL