I tried to save my partner – sergeant

WEDNESDAY was the “worst day” in Sergeant Clinton Naidoo’s career; it was the day he said goodbye to his partner, mentor and friend.

Naidoo, 34, and his partner Ashok Ramsakkan, 53, were patrolling in KwaMashu on November 15, when they were shot at by three unknown men.

Ramsakkan was hit in the neck by AK47 gunfire and died in hospital on Monday. His funeral was at the Clare Estate Crematorium two days later.

“It was a horrible feeling saying goodbye to someone who was more than a partner to me,” Naidoo said.

The funeral drew a large number of policemen all wanting to pay their respects to another fallen colleague.

Naidoo was a pall bearer.“It was the last time I was going to be with my partner, I had to do it. Even though I was in full ceremonial attire, I could not prevent myself from becoming overwhelmed emotionally. I could not hold back the tears because it was so hard to say goodbye,” Naidoo said.

He and Ramsakkan had been partners at Durban’s Flying Squad for six years.

Naidoo said he gained much knowledge and insight into police work from his more experienced partner and they shared a close friendship.

Naidoo said Ramsakkan was a shift commander in their unit, and preferred to do the difficult and dangerous work himself, rather than passing it on to his subordinates.

“He was a dedicated policeman, who put in extra hours, even after completing a 12-hour shift.”

Naidoo is tormented by the shooting. “The memories of the shooting come flooding back and I haven’t been sleeping well. I tried medication, but that hasn’t helped.”

On the day of the shooting, Naidoo said they were doing routine patrol duty and were taken by surprise when the occupants of a Corsa bakkie opened fire in Malandela Road.

Naidoo was driving. He said his immediate instinct was flee but their attackers continued to shoot as they tried to pull away. Naidoo said: “After being shot Ramsakkan cried ‘I’m shot, I’m in pain’. I can’t get those words out of my head.”

As the blood oozed from his partner’s neck, Naidoo placed one hand on the wound and steered the vehicle with the other.

“My only thought was to get my partner medical assistance. Fortunately I know KwaMashu well because the other hospitals were too far away.

“I was desperate to get Ash stabilised so I drove him to a clinic in the area. All the way there I kept assuring him, Ash you are going to be fine.”

Naidoo said investigators combed the crime scene and found about 25 spent AK47 shells.