Phiwokuhle Mothemela
Christ the King Anglican Church in Gelvandale was packed to the brim on Thursday when friends, family, colleagues, and members of the community came to pay their respects to slain Bay police officer Callan Andrews.
The slain Bay police officer Constable Callan Andrews, 29, had been serving in the police force for only two months at the time of his death.
He was gunned down in Helenvale on New Year’s Eve, shortly after pushing a broken-down police vehicle.
Among mourners, were Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie, Speaker of Nelson Mandela Bay Council Eugene Johnson, Bay police district Commissioner Major General Vuyisile Ncata, and Member of Parliament Cedrick Frolick.
Speakers described Andrews as a dedicated member of the police force who died in the line of duty while helping his community.
It was also said that despite his psychology degree, Andrews wanted to be a police officer so much that he applied 5 times.
MMC for community safety, Councillor Luyanda Lawu spoke on behalf of the executive mayor Babalwa Lobishe- who had another commitment.
"Crime is a serious societal issue that must be tackled by all," he said.
He also called for justice to prevail for the young officer.
During his speech McKenzie said the government must take responsibility for what happened, referring to the faulty police vehicle.
"We talk about the human rights of criminals, what about the human rights of Andrews' family?
"Questions must be asked and someone must be held accountable," he added.
Ncata said the incident which claimed Andrews' life is an embarrassment to the police force and should not happen again.
Andrews' team leader and fellow D shift colleagues also took to the podium to express sadness for their great loss.
The leader said they started the shift as usual with a prayer, but little did they know they would complete the shift one member short.
"He is now D shift's guardian angel," they said.
Andrews will be buried in an official South African Police Service funeral on Saturday.
