| 2024/09/10 |
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Media Statement FREE STATE – Bound by the South African Police Service’s Code of Conduct, members took the oath to serve and protect the people of South Africa at any hour, in any weather condition and no matter the situation to ensure a safer and secure country for all. An eight-year-old boy from Ladybrand, Free State and his mother could never have imagined how their day would unfold when their path crossed with a team of police officers on Monday, 09 September 2024. Lieutenant Colonel Tume Ramahlaha was out jogging before reporting for duty when he passed the destitute boy and his mother. They were busy scavenging through rubble for leftover food when Ramahlaha stopped to engage with them. Ramahlala is attached to Border Policing and is currently in the Free State to visit teams deployed in the province as part of OPERATION VALA UMGODI. Upon further questioning, Ramahlaha established that it had been days since the boy and his mother had something to eat. He also established that the boy does not have a school uniform and as a result was not allowed to attend school. He arranged for the family to enjoy a meal at his current accommodation while he contacted relevant authorities to intervene and assist the family. Then, through further questioning Ramahlaha realised that 9 September also happened to be the boy’s birthday and shared this information with Captain Cilliè Truter and the rest of the Border Policing members deployed in the Free State. Without hesitation, Truter and his team went above and beyond to make the day special for the little man. They arranged for the boy to get a haircut, bought him a school uniform, new clothes, shoes, toys and a birthday cake. Truter says that this was made possible through contributions made by each of his members from their ‘own pockets’. “There is no greater calling than being of service to our communities. We are deployed to combat illicit mining activities in the Free State, but we will not fold our arms when vulnerable community members need our help,” said Truter. After the birthday celebrations, Truter and his team checked in on the family who stays in a ‘shack’ at an informal settlement. The Department of Social Development also intervened, and the boy will be going back to school. OPERATION VALA UMGODI, established in December 2023, is inclusive of SAPS members from various specialised units as well as members from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the Department of Minerals and Energy (DMRE) and other law enforcement agencies. OPERATION VALA UMGODI is government’s response to prevent and combat illicit mining activities in the seven hotspot provinces, namely; Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, North West, Free State, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Ends
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