Ntshawini CPF volunteer honoured for bravery

Ntshawini Community Policing Forum volunteer Obed Mokoena was recognised for his bravery during the KwaDukuza Saps Excellence Awards last Friday.

While on a night-time patrol in April, 46-year-old Mokoena and four other patrollers were shot at. He was hit and spent a month in hospital to recover.

Since leaving hospital, Mokoena walks on crutches and is unable to travel by taxi as he cannot bend his knee.

“I never thought I would be honoured for our work. I am grateful that people see and appreciate what we do to reduce crime,” he said.

When Mokoena limped to the stage to receive his award, the audience in the KwaDukuza Town Hall gave him and his fellow CPF members a big round of applause for risking their lives to keep their townships safe.

Mokoena vividly recounted the fateful day of the shooting.

“We heard people behind us insulting us, and when we turned, they started shooting. Three of us were hit. We called for help and were taken to the hospital,” he said.

He thanked the KwaDukuza Saps management for their support during his recovery.

Mokoena was disappointed though that no residents checked on him or the others during their healing process, but encouraged residents not to be discouraged and to continue fighting crime.

Before the shooting, Mokoena worked at a construction company in Ballito and was the breadwinner of his family.

But with his income now drying up, he said his family faced difficulties.

Alongside Mokoena, a long list of officers and community members were awarded on Friday for their consistent efforts to root out crime in the KwaDukuza area.

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