Lothair Police recently restored hope to the 80-year-old Mr William Mkhonza, who used to live in a poorly constructed shelter made with sticks and plastic.

When Const Bathobile Khumalo, spokesman for Lothair Police, first noticed the old man’s shelter, situated in the sharp curve of the Lothair-Ermelo road, her heart was moved and she knew that something needed to be done to assist.

As she interviewed Mr Mkhonza, she realised that although he was living in abject poverty, the senior citizen was a quick-witted person and he shared his ideas about the outbreak of gender-based violence, the Covid-19 pandemic and the increasing crime.

Const Khumalo had set her heart on moving the old man to a better place that would be warmer and safer.

Together with Const Landy Mkhonto, sector commander, they worked tirelessly to rope in the assistance of the local businesses for enough building materials to erect a shack. The idea soon attracted extra hands of good Samaritans in the community who helped with the construction.

“My officials have outdone themselves in this regard.”