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2008-01-12
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Leon-Ben Lamprecht, Die Burger

Cape Town - Two policemen who were shot in cold blood while on duty on Monday were described as "real heroes and an example to others" at their emotional funeral in Cape Town on Thursday.

Inspector Martin "Smiley" van der Heyde and student constable Johnny Botha were investigating a burglary at a house near Lansdowne when the suspect allegedly hit Van der Heyde on the head with a crowbar before shooting him with his own service pistol.

The man then shot Botha in the head, killing him as well.

Extra chairs had to be brought in to the Bethel Assembly of God church in Lansdowne, as family, friends and colleagues gathered at the funeral.

' They were exemplary men'

Superintendent Ettienne Oliver said: "What has happened is not just a fairytale. It is the reality of South Africa and it is knocking at our doors.

"They (Van der Heyde en Botha) were exemplary men. We need more exemplary men."

Oliver paid tribute to Van der Heyde as "one of the best police officers that Landsdowne has ever seen".

"Yes, it was tragic. But I think we should be proud today. He lived for his work. It was everything to Martin."

Oliver said even the gangs in the area wanted to see the gunman who murdered "Smiley" brought to justice.

Botha's sister, Susan Botha, could not hide her sorrow when she addressed the mourners.

"The instant I heard the news, I aged 100 years," she said in a shaky voice, before tears flowed and she was helped from the stage by Pastor Kenneth Patel, who led the service.

Lansdowne station commissioner Senior Superintendent C Chandler said Botha had first worked for 10 years as an electrician in the service.

'A legend in his own time'

She had asked why he had became a police officer and he replied "I've always wanted to be a policeman."

"He loved his work. How many people can say that?"

"Inspector Van der Heyde was a legend in his own time," she said, with tears swimming in her eyes.

Police spokesperson Randall Stoffels said there had been no arrests yet in the case.