Final farewell for former top cop Piet Byleveld

Final farewell for former top cop Piet Byleveld

Friends and family have gathered at the Rosebank Union Church in Johannesburg to bid farewell to top sleuth Piet Byleveld. 

Piet Byleveld memorial_jacanews
Photo: Pieter van der Merwe

He died at the age of 66 after losing a battle with cancer.


Former colleague and NPA prosecutor Herman Broodryk paid an emotional tribute to his friend.


"He was a man who survived on three things; cigarettes, Coke and Grandpa powders. A man who always dressed in a dark suit - that is to say except in the winter months when he wore this specific coat which looked as if it came from a SAP 13 store. A man who never slept, yet was always alert," says Broodryk.


A family member read out a tribute by Elize, Byleveld's wife.


"I look for you around every corner. Your voice is quiet and your place empty. You are half of me. I will cherish your place in my heart for the rest of my life. I will miss the coffee you made for me and placed next to the bed in the early morning hours," says Elize.


Artist and actor Ian Roberts is in attendance and played his tribute song for Byleveld.

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