SAPS steps out for barefooted boys
Local policemen and women dug into their pockets to make a contribution.
RESCUING people and attending crimes … the SAPS is already known for the work it does with regard to this.
But sometimes (often) its members go the extra mile for matters that don’t have anything to do with crime.
Ugu cluster commander Major General Thembi Ndlovu was moved when she saw a photograph on the front page of the South Coast Herald this week depicting the cracked soles of a five year old boy.
The reason was that he had to walk a long distance to school each day … without shoes.
Maj-Gen Ndlovu decided to intervene.
Margate SAPS station commander, Colonel Sipho Thabethe, drove to Bashise Primary in Mvutshini near Margate.
Once there, he made arrangements with the principal for the little boy and his brother to ‘go on a journey’ to the major general’s office.
Wide-eyed and a bit frightened, at first the boys could not quite understand what all the fuss was about.
But when the friendly SAPS members gave them some sweets and toys, they started to relax.
SAPS members and other personnel at the station quickly counted out cash from their pockets to give to the boys, which all contributed to the ‘unforgettable surprise’ for them.
Their excitement was evident when they were whisked away in a police vehicle with Maj-Gen Ndlovu, complete with a siren and blue light!
The two little ‘VIPs’ for the day were then taken to a clothing store where they received two complete sets of school uniforms each, plus shoes, stationery and school bags.
The items were sponsored by a local business in town.
Next stop was a visit to a chemist and a grocery store, where the donations by the police members came in handy to buy various nutritious food products for the growing boys.
“We must remember that children are the future of our country,” emphasised Maj-Gen Ndlovu.
This act of kindness follows on from the station’s winning of an MEC Excellence Award recently.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to show that the SAPS cares. We will also monitor the progress of the children from time to time,” she said.
She also thanked the person who had highlighted the needs of the children – and urged the community to lend a helping hand to other needy children.
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