Living the spirit of Mandela Month, members of the Witbank SAPS added to their daily duties a dustpan last Thursday, launching a cleanup initiative at the home of an elderly woman living in unsafe conditions with her grandchildren.

The cleanup, held on July 24 in Klarinet, was led by Sergeant Fanishwa Matsabitsa, Captain Tshepo Kopano Paledi, and Lieutenant Colonel Linda Phungwayo, whose concern was first sparked during a duty call.

“We were on duty when we saw the house. We offered to help and not only because it’s Mandela Month, but because as officers of the law, we understood safety risks that were posed by those broken windows,” Sergeant Matsabitsa said.

“We don’t want criminals to have access to the house, whereas we can offer just a little to make a change,” she added.

The officers took it upon themselves to organise a restoration effort. What began as a moment of concern soon turned into a determined act of service. Armed with cleaning tools and window panes, the team replaced shattered glass, mowed the unruly grass, and gave the home a deep clean from the inside out.

The leading duo emphasised the hidden meaning of their efforts. “Mandela Month isn’t just about praising Madiba – It’s about exercising what he stood for – Dignity, compassion, and action. We wanted this family to feel protected, not exposed,” they said.

The SAPS team praised the granny’s neighbors, specifically Elizabeth Dlamini, for their unwavering support throughout the initiative. They further emphasised that if it wasn’t for the neighbors, they wouldn’t achieve it.

According to the SAPS team, the cleanup formed a part of their duty to promote safety within the community.

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