Limpopo – The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo will tomorrow be laying to rest their fallen hero who lost his life on the line of duty when the vehicle he was operating transporting inmates collided with a truck along the R101 road in Limpopo.

The late Sergeant Nyiko William Lelaka (43) died along with six inmates he was travelling with in a police van last week Thursday.

Two more inmates died three days later after succumbing to their injuries in hospital bringing the death toll from that accident to nine.

According to the Spokesperson for the Limpopo SAPS, Brig Hlulani Mashaba, Sergeant Lelaka, had served with distinction as a Court Orderly at Naboomspruit Police Station, when fatally injured in a horrific collision involving a police vehicle that was transporting inmates to court.

“The devastating accident claimed his life along with that of eight inmates, plunging the SAPS and the nation into deep mourning,” she said.

The funeral service will be officiated by the Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.

The ceremony will also be attended by SAPS management at various levels, representatives of the Judiciary, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), other sister departments, stakeholders, and members of the community at large, who will gather to honour his memory and service.

The funeral service, scheduled to start at 07h00 is going to be held at Mokgophong community hall tomorrow Saturday, 23, 2025.