Amid the busy holiday rush at the Lebombo Port of Entry, a routine journey turned into a life-changing event on Tuesday morning when a Mozambican traveller went into labour at the South African border.

Lowvelder reports that Marluz Albino Tovela was en route to Inhambane in Mozambique when her journey came to an unexpected halt. As she arrived at the border, it became clear that her baby was not going to wait until the end of the trip.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the Buzaphi Team on site quickly realised the urgency of the situation and requested immediate assistance from police officers.

A display of teamwork

What followed was a display of teamwork that went far beyond border security and customs processing. Three officials stepped in to trade their badges for midwifery duties: Sergeant Tshidi Mokoena, Constable Sandiso Nyathi and customs official Jabu Nkuna.

Working together in a makeshift delivery room, the trio provided the medical and emotional support needed to ensure a safe delivery.

At 07:55, the silence of the morning was broken by the cries of a healthy baby boy.

‘Baby SAPS and Customs’

The newborn, who has since been affectionately nicknamed ‘Baby SAPS and Customs’ by border officials, entered the world under extraordinary circumstances.

“Their selfless actions ensured the safe arrival of the newborn,” Ndubane says, praising the officials for going beyond the call of duty.

Following the successful delivery, both Tovela and her son were reported to be in good health. They were met by an ambulance and transported to Tonga Hospital for further medical observation and postnatal care.

While thousands of people pass through the Lebombo Border daily en route to their destinations, December 30 will be remembered by staff not for the traffic, but for the tiny new traveller who chose to make his grand entrance at the border line.

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