Superintendent Eddie Boaventura from KwaDukuza’s municipal traffic department was killed when he tried to approach a suspicious vehicle alleged to have been involved in committing a crime. The incident happened on the N2’s Blythedale Beach flyover. Picture: Facebook
Durban — ActionSA in Ilembe said it saluted Superintendent Eddie Boaventura.
The party said an attack on a police officer should be treated as an attack on the state.
ActionSA said it was heavy-hearted after hearing about the death of KwaDukuza Municipality veteran law enforcement officer Superintendent Eddie Boaventura, who was killed by criminals on Friday.
According to the police report, on Friday Superintendent Eddie Boaventura from KwaDukuza Municipality’s traffic department was killed when he tried to approach a suspicious vehicle alleged to have been involved in committing a crime. The incident happened on the N2’s Blythedale Beach flyover.
The car was believed to have been used in robbing a local shop in and met the vehicle description in circulation. Boaventura was shot by suspects with a high-calibre firearm. He was airlifted to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The suspects fled.
ActionSA sent its heartfelt condolences to the Boaventura family, and to the friends and loved ones of this valiant hero who had sacrificed his life to protect the community.
“The death of Superintendent Boaventura in the line of duty indicates the failure of the current government to enforce the rule of law. The blatant act of firing five shots into a fully uniformed law enforcement officer at point-blank range, and then stealing his firearm while he lay injured on the ground, reveals that criminals in South Africa act with total impunity and with utter disregard for the law,” ActionSA Ilembe said.
“Boaventura’s death is a stark reminder that the current government is unable to protect its own, let alone the citizens of South Africa. From 2015, the government promised to roll out a police protection campaign, but to date nothing has been forthcoming. A safe and secure South Africa is unfortunately not attainable under the current ANC government. The stats of the past three decades speak for themselves.”
ActionSA said it believed that an attack on a police officer should be treated as an attack on the state.
“Our police officers cannot face the possibility of being killed every time they put on their uniforms and go out to serve the community. This is simply unacceptable,” ActionSA said.
“ActionSA is calling on all law enforcement agencies to treat this heinous crime as treason against the state, and to prioritise and intensify efforts to ensure these cowardly perpetrators face the full might of the law.”
Meanwhile, tributes have poured in for Boaventura from the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.
Vivian Reddy and KwaDukuza Mall management said it was with great sadness that they had received the news of the death of Superintendent Eddie Boaventura. They said their deepest condolences went out to the family and colleagues of Superintendent Boaventura.
“We salute him as a courageous hero who passed away in the line of duty.”
Yenzokuhle Planning & Development Consultants said: “Yenzokuhle Town Planning Consultants (Pty) Ltd would like to send condolences to the family and colleagues of the late, great Superintendent Eddie Boaventura. We wish him eternal peace and thank him for all the service he has given to Ballito and KwaDukuza. Lala Ngoxolo.”
Daily News