Slain cop described as a ‘hero’ who joined the force despite his policewoman mother also being killed on duty

21 January 2017 - 16:50 By Siphe Macanda
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Constable Tshepo Tladi whose death was caught on CCTV footage in Katlehong, on the East Rand. File photo
Constable Tshepo Tladi whose death was caught on CCTV footage in Katlehong, on the East Rand. File photo
Image: SUPPLIED

Hundreds of police officers on Saturday gathered to pay their final respects to Constable Tsepho Tladi‚ the police officer killed during a controversial police operation in Katlehong last week.

An investigation into Tladi's death is underway after CCTV footage from the incident revealed that Tladi might have been shot by one of his colleagues‚ who allegedly later attempted to tamper with the scene.

He was laid to rest at the South Park Cemetery in Don Park‚ Johannesburg.

Tladi‚ who was attached to the Katlehong SAPS‚ died while responding to a business robbery on January 12.

Video footage shows Tladi and a fellow officer exchanging rounds with the robbers. Tladi is then seen retreating and being fatally shot.

  • SA’s top cop ‘shocked and disturbed’ by video showing apparent SAPS shooting cover-upThe South African Police Service (SAPS) on Tuesday said it had sanctioned both misconduct and criminal investigations following the fatal shooting of Constable Tshepo Tladi in Katlehong last week Thursday. 

Police watchdog Ipid has indicated it is probing events leading to his death. Speaking at Tladi's funeral Gauteng SAPS Commissioner Lt-General Deliwe de Lange described him as a hero.

"He was a special friend of many. He died as a brave man‚ leader in the frontline‚ fighting to protect the community of Katlehong".

The Assemblies of God church was packed to capacity with mourners including hundreds of police officers from the provincial and national office.

Flamboyant preacher‚ Pastor Mboro‚ was also in attendance.

De Lange said she had known Tladi - whose police officer mother died in the line of duty - personally even before he joined the police force.

"I knew his mother. She was also in the police force. Tsepho joined the police even though he knew what happened to his mother. Being a police officer was a calling to him‚" De Lange said.

TMG Digital/The Times

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