Community organisation helps fallen police woman’s mother continue her legacy

Maelane decided to be proactive in dealing with her grief and use it to help others in a similar situation. Her daughter, Constable Thari Maelane, was based with the Midrand Police Station. She died after a fatal car accident on 3 April, on her way from work.

Her mother believes she is honouring the memory of her daughter by doing good in her community.

“I saw it as important to have a grief support group in the community because of my own experience,” said Maelane.

“During this time my family and my church’s support meant a lot to me.”

Together with grief counselling, the organisation also has an after-school programme in partnership with Maelane’s church, Covenant For Christ Church.

“We gave the organisation a roof under which they may bring the children food,” said Bishop Alpheus Matlou of the church. “Once we have received sponsorship to finish the building, we will be able to house the homeless as well.”

Currently, Maelane said the organisation feeds 261 children under a structure, with just a roof and no walls. They survive on donations from community members.

On 24 October the organisation held a motivational ceremony for Grade 12 pupils of Ivory Park and invited the township’s police to speak on the effects of crime in the area.

“We just wanted to tell people about social crime prevention,” said Constable Justice Sekgobela. “The most prevalent crime in the area is housebreaking.”

Motivational speaker, Pastor Lunga Muthetho, encouraged community and police co-operation. “It is important for the youth to involve themselves through the youth desk and for the community policing forum and the police to work together.”

“Police, as the highest authority in the community, should maintain order and as community members we ought to be alarmed by the number of police deaths in our communities,” he said.

Read our previous story here:

Tributes for the late Constable Maelane