The Widow and Orphans Trust is a non-profit organisation funded by donations and membership contributions from serving SAPS members. According to the Institute of Race Relations, 100-110 policemen are murdered each year whilst on duty to prevent, combat and investigate crime in South Africa. These murders often leave around 100 grieving families without income or hope for the future.
"The death of Major General Tirhani Maswanganyi particularly struck home as Maswanganyi was also a LIPCO member who joined our family in the late 90's and furthermore recruited for LIPCO as a part time consultant," says Kwena Moabelo, CEO of LIPCO.
Maswanganyi was found dead with his hands tied behind his back, in an open field near the R101 between Pretoria and Hammanskraal on the morning of Tuesday, 18 June 2013.
Crime Stats SA publicised that on average 5900 crimes are reported by the SAPS every day. In a country belittled with crime, everyone at LIPCO salutes police officials who risk their lives daily to protect and serve South Africans. According to the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) Maswanganyi's cruel death may be attributed to a planned hit as the Major-General investigated several serious cases, including corruption cases.
"As a LIPCO Platinum member our hero had an accidental death benefit and LIPCO will liaise with the Maswanganyi family accordingly.
"More importantly, LIPCO appeals to the public to help solve this case, as police are offering a reward of up to R100,000 for information that could help solve the current mystery behind Major-General Tirhani Maswangani's death," concludes Moabelo.
Maswanganyi will be buried on Sunday, 30 June in Temba, near Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria. Maswangani is survived by his wife and five children.
