CAPE TOWN - Praised as a man who prioritised others and committed to the battle against crime. Friends and family of Andre Lincoln gathered at St James Church in Kenilworth to pay their last respects.
Lincoln fought for the country's liberation and became a prominent police officer. But those close to him claim he was hurt by how he was treated towards the end of his career.
Lincoln was accused of withdrawing protection for anti-gang unit colleague Charles Kinnear, who was later assassinated.
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Lincoln held various senior positions, including former bodyguard to the then President Nelson Mandela, and first head of the Anti-Gang Unit in Cape Town.
The Western Cape Police Commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, says they will follow in Lincoln's footsteps, as he left a functioning unit targeted at reducing violence.
Lincoln's colleagues have described him as a genuine leader who took risks, even at the expense of his life.
Activists are urging those left behind, to pull up their socks and put an end to the carnage on the Cape Flats, where Lincoln would go courageously.
Lincoln is survived by his wife, children, siblings and his elderly mother
By: Nobesuthu Hejana reports.