National Commissioner’s Golf Challenge nets approximately R2.6 Million for SAPS …

National Commissioner’s Golf Challenge nets approximately R2.6 Million for SAPS Educational Trust

Pretoria: The South African Police Service (SAPS) National Commissioner’s Golf Challenge held at Mbombela Golf Club in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga raised approximately R2. 6 million. The funds will be used to advance educational needs of the children of police officials who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The noble course was made possible with pledges from individuals and the business fraternity through the SAPS Educational Trust (SAPSET) which strives to support the children of members who have died on duty or in the line of duty.

The SAPSET was established by the South African Police Service on the 23rd of November 2010, to provide educational support to the children of SAPS members both SAPS Act and Public Service Act. The Trust’s fundraising has gained strength from the previous year’s R627 088.30.

The SAPSET Board of Trustees chaired by Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa and Executive Committee led by Lieutenant General Bonang Mgwenya always appreciate the support they receive from companies and individuals that make it possible to assist, from 2013 to date, 870 beneficiaries. In 2018 SAPSET assisted beneficiaries as follows:

•Tertiary = 62

•Grade 8 to 12= 95

•Grade 1 to 7 = 148

•Pre- primary = 32

•Special Needs = 04

The payments made to different learning institutions for tuition fees is R1 936 795 with the 2019 projected amount being R3 070 000. The Trust also make provision for no fee schools beneficiaries by giving them school bags and stationery at the beginning of the year.

One of the beneficiaries, 22-year-old Andile Sithole is pursuing a qualification in Business Management. He is on the final year of his three year diploma at the Rosebank College in Pretoria. The Trust has been assisting his since matric in 2016. “I am grateful for the assistance that I am receiving from the Trust. I know that my father is proud of me”, said Andile who also mentioned that he misses his father dearly, “He was a fun and energetic person and I miss his laughter”.

Andile lost his father to an accident. Detective Sergeant Mfanafuthi Peter Sitole was stationed at the KwaMhlanga Stock Theft Unit when died during the excecution of his duties at KwaMhlanga in 2013. Andile has three siblings, a sister and two brothers. One of his brothers who is in grade three this year is also receiving assistance from the Trust.

The National Commissioner, General Khehla John Sitole emphasised the importance of the Trust and encouraged those present to plough back and donate generously when rendering the welcoming address. “The SAPSET is an integral part of the Turnaround Vision of the SAPS. It the mechanism that the Service uses to support the children of the fallen heroes and heroines”, said General Sitole who went to further explain that the policy scope of SAPSET will be reviewed to include for instance, children of members that die in major road carnages and those whose death may have been caused by work related diseases. The SAPS pledged R1 Million to the total contributions.

The Police Minister Bheki Cele said that police officers are the first in line of defense and those who die while serving and protecting the Nation, it is our duty as the South African Police Service family to ensure that their loved ones are well taken care off.

"Children of police officers should at no stage suffer or be disadvantaged. Life for them should be normal and most importantly they must stay longer in school", said Minister Cele.

Minister Cele further made a call to all business people to invest in the noble course and the future of our children for a better life. Contribution can be financial and non-financial by means of resource, welfare and employment support.

SAPSET invites SAPS officials and staff, business and the public to be patriotic and selfless in this journey of developing the country’s future leaders.

The Banking details of the SAPS Education Trust are as follows:

Name of Account holder: SAPS Education Trust�

Bank: Nedbank

Account no: 1003359825�

Branch: Belville, The Bridge�Branch code: 198765�

Reference: Donors/ Company’s name and surname

Partnership and support from donors and sponsors is fundamental to the success of SAPSET. #SAPSET #NatCommGolfChallenge https://www.facebook.com/SAPS.Education.Trust/

Source