POLICE CAPTAIN’S HEART OF GOLD
THE plight of a grandmother clutching her three-month-old grandchild at the Mdantsane police station recently, touched Management Information Centre (MIC) head Captain Mariana Swanepoel so much that she raised money to help the family.
Swanepoel also dug into her own pockets to help the 80-year-old woman, who wants to remain anonymous, after she came to the station to seek help.
Mdantsane cluster spokesman Captain Nkosikho Mzuku said Swanepoel met the elderly woman at the charge office at the police station where she came to share the difficulties she was facing.
The grandmother claimed that her 37-year-old daughter had left the child in her care without providing for any needs, and had instead gone to the shebeen.
Swanepoel investigated and was shocked to find out that the family could not afford to buy their own groceries.
She contacted her friends for assistance and together they raised money to buy groceries and to supply in the baby's needs.
“If there is one thing that makes me happy about being a police official, it is to make a difference in people’s lives without wanting to be thanked for it. They live in extreme poverty and I saw it fitting in giving back to the community.”
Swanepoel said they were hoping to be able to help the family for the next three months as the family was living in extreme poverty.
“The family depends on the child support grant of the 12-year-old girl and that of the granny, which barely covers their basic needs.”
Mzuku said, “I think what Swanepoel did, was out of goodwill and inspiring. As the SAPS, we make sure that the community members are safe and live in a conducive environment.
“The grandmother was relieved and grateful for what the police did.”