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.
Delivering the eulogy, Premier 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.
Delivering an emotional address, Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said the killing had struck at the heart of the SAPS.
“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, is very important 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 that can respond when the contact comes his way,” he said.
Elite cop Captain Louis Nel honoured at emotional KZN funeral.Premier, top cops and grieving family honour fallen Captain Louis Nel.
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.
The funeral service drew heavily armed Special Task Force members dressed in camouflage uniforms, standing silently as they paid tribute to one of their own.
Mkhwanazi admitted the killing had left police officers angry and heartbroken.
“For me on my side, having won the badge, having gone through the trouble that Captain Nel has gone through, I understand the pain and the anger that the members, especially the members of Special Task Force will have at this day.”
He also issued a chilling warning to the gunmen behind the ambush. “I can give you assurance, operators, all of you that are here, that we’ll find them. We will find the killers, dead or alive, we will find them pretty soon.”
Nel was remembered not only as an intelligence operative, but as a dedicated officer willing to put his life on the line in the battle against violent crime.
Police investigations into his murder are continuing.
Colombian pop idol Shakira will once again be singing the official FIFA World Cup song. On Thursday, the star teased the anthem in a social media post. The song “Dai Dai” is a collaboration with Nigerian star Burna Boy. The singer created the 2010 World Cup anthem "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)" featuring South African group Freshlyground, which went on to be super successful. Released 15 years ago on YouTube, the […]
