Heroic act: Metrobus drivers save abandoned baby
JOBURG – 'We may not know the reasons to why the baby was abandoned but because of them, this little person now has a chance at life.'
Tow Metro bus drivers went beyond their daily duties on the evening of 23 June to show themselves as true heroes of our city.
This is according to a joint statement by MMC for Transport, Cllr Nonhlanhla Makhuba and MMC for Public Safety, Cllr Michael Sun.
“We want to commend the two Metro bus drivers: Mr. Samuel Phumane and Ms. Mashudu Mavhutha together with Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s Inspector Marius Bolsen and Inspector Kinsane Maswanganyi for their heroic deeds in saving an abandoned baby boy on the evening of 23 June 2018,” read the statement.
It was further stated that the hospital records produced by the mother, showed that the baby was only born on the morning of 22 June. The baby had not yet been given a name.
“The Metrobus drivers noted the suspicious behaviour of the mother and followed her, and saw her finally abandoning the baby on the corner of Rissik and Pritchard Streets, Joburg CBD,” said Makhuba and Sun in the statement.
“We are grateful for the observant, quick and caring reaction of Samuel and Mashudu.”
They added, “It is through them that ‘Ubuntu’ is kept alive. We may not know the reasons to why the baby was abandoned but because of them, this little person now has a chance at life.
“As sad as the situation may be, the two JMPD inspectors were able to arrest the 20 year old mother moments after the baby was abandoned on the cold street.”
Mashudu and Kinsane are said to have taken care of the baby until he was handed over to Child Protection Service and is now in safe hands.
“We met with Samuel, Mashudu, Inspectors Bolsen and Maswanganyi to thank them personally for their heroic deeds and expressed our gratitude to them for being such outstanding citizens of the City. As drivers, they carry hundreds of lives on a daily basis, transporting them to and from various destinations. And as officers, they put their own lives at risk to ensure the safety of our people. We are truly grateful.”
