Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has responded to criticism from Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi following the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) failure to attend the funeral of 22-year-old traffic warden, Chesnay Keppler. Keppler, tragically killed on December 26 by her boyfriend, Mandla Buthelezi, a police sergeant at the Eldorado Park Police Station, has sparked a wave of outrage and questions surrounding police conduct and accountability. Lesufi, speaking at Keppler’s funeral, expressed his sorrow over the absence of the police leadership and publicly apologized to the family on behalf of the provincial government, stating that the lack of SAPS representation was a missed opportunity to show solidarity with the grieving community.
Lesufi’s remarks, made during the funeral service, criticized the police for failing to offer any updates regarding the investigation into Keppler’s death. He emphasized that the police should have been present to reassure the family and the public that justice would be served. The absence of SAPS at such a significant moment, according to Lesufi, sent the wrong message to both the family and the community. “The entire leadership of the South African Police should have come here to demonstrate that they are at peace with the family and that they are not at war with the community,” he stated, expressing disappointment over the lack of police engagement during a time of deep emotional pain for Keppler’s loved ones.
The tragedy has also raised broader concerns about the effectiveness of the government’s 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence (GBV), which had concluded just days before Keppler’s death. The fact that her murder was allegedly committed by a police officer, and under the disturbing circumstances of Buthelezi reportedly being intoxicated while on duty, has heightened the public’s sense of injustice. Lesufi and other critics have pointed out that the police’s failure to act with the same urgency and responsibility in the aftermath of the crime undermines efforts to address GBV and domestic violence in the country.
In response to Lesufi’s criticism, Minister Mchunu’s spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, acknowledged the concerns raised, offering condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Keppler. Mogotsi clarified that the police ministry would refrain from further comment at this stage and instead engage with the Gauteng provincial government in a meeting to assess the situation and improve cooperation between SAPS and provincial authorities. This meeting, according to Mogotsi, is intended to strengthen collaborative efforts to better serve and protect citizens while ensuring that justice is pursued in the case of Keppler’s tragic death.
The police ministry also reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability, and rebuilding public trust in law enforcement. As part of this, Mchunu’s office emphasized that the investigation into Keppler’s death would continue, with a focus on addressing any systemic issues within SAPS. The ministry’s stance highlights the broader challenge of restoring faith in the police service, especially in light of incidents like Keppler’s death, where a police officer’s actions are allegedly linked to an abuse of power. The public has been vocal about the need for more than just symbolic gestures from law enforcement—it is clear that the people are demanding tangible accountability and change.
Meanwhile, ActionSA’s Gauteng chairperson, Funzi Ngobeni, joined in the chorus of criticism, condemning SAPS for its absence and lack of support for Keppler’s family. Ngobeni pointed out the severity of the situation, stating that while holding employers responsible for their employees’ conduct might be debated in ordinary circumstances, this case was far from typical. With Buthelezi being on duty and reportedly intoxicated during the incident, Ngobeni insisted that only SAPS could explain how an officer could be so recklessly negligent, especially while carrying a service firearm. The case has sparked broader conversations about police conduct, and public figures like Ngobeni are calling for systemic changes to ensure such tragedies are not repeated.