When a resident of Tzaneen forgot her cellphone in the trolley she used at Tzaneng Mall on Sunday, 31 March Thomas Maluleke came to the rescue.

Thomas has been working as a security guard since 2005.

“What I have realised in my experience as a security guard is that my work is important. I try my best to help all my customers feel safe when they park their cars. My job is to curb the criminal activities around me by keeping an eye on my workplace, the parking area,” explained Thomas.

Read: Good people still exist in Tzaneen

He went on to say that something told him to check inside the trolley, to make sure the customers did not leave anything behind. This was when he noticed the phone, and with it a few bank cards in the phone’s cover.

He immediately realised the importance of getting the phone to it’s rightful owner. He explained that if it wasn’t for the ‘magogo’, Ellie Diederiks Botha, who helped him unlock the phone and find out who the phone belonged to, he would have given it in to the office for safe keeping until the owner claims it.

“I asked my husband to call my phone, in hopes that someone would answer and keep it safe,” explained Sandra Jansen van Vuuren, owner of the phone. She went on to explain that Thomas had found the phone and urgently tried to find a way to get it to her. She jumped in the car, drove to the parking area and there she saw Thomas and Ellie waiting for her.

“I was overjoyed when I saw them standing there,” explained Sandra, “I remember Thomas saying ‘That’s her! That’s the lady the phone belongs to!’” According to Ellie, Thomas has always helped her when she visits the mall.

“I’m grateful he trusted me to help him find the owner of the phone. He deserves praise for his integrity,” explained Ellie.

In present times, losing your phone is much more than just losing all your contacts, photos or messages. Lately it could mean losing access to your mobile banking, your emails, important documents. Cellphones have become a lot more than just communication devices.