Officers go extra mile
'GOOD Samaritan' SAPS officers were praised for going beyond the call of duty to help a disabled 97-year-old Mzingazi resident who was robbed of her pension grant last week.
Richards Bay community worker and Mzingazi CPF leader Sharon Mdletshe said she received a call from a distraught community member about his grandmother whose money was stolen by her grandchildren last Thursday.
Upon visiting the pensioner, Mdletshe said it was heartbreaking to find the elderly woman living in such conditions.
She had one arm amputated and her legs were not functional owing to a disability. Without a wheelchair, she had to drag herself around her house.
"Constable Jeandre Fourie, Sergeant Sihle Mpanza, and Lieutenant Colonel Mzimela responded to find the gogo in tears as her savings were gone," said Mdletshe.
"Constable Fourie generously presented her with all the cash he had, R570, in the hopes it would calm her down."
Mdletshe said the victim had been saving money under her pillow, which her grandchildren found and took.
"As she is very old, she could not remember how much money was lost," she continued.
"I put out a request for help with a wheelchair, but Fourie went a step further and got her a brand new wheelchair, clothing, and enlisted the help of the Rotary Anns."
Constable Fourie and his members delivered donations of money, food, blankets, clothing and a new wheelchair the following day.
"We see these kinds of acts in the movies, where they go above the call of duty. He is so young in his career, and so helpful," she said.
"Our Richards Bay SAPS members took a bad situation and turned it around for good," said Mdletshe.