Police constable Mohase Mahapela was on his last night shift on 25 April 2019, when he assisted a complainant who came to seek police help, alleging her daughter always neglects her 1-month-old daughter. Mahapela went to look for the mother, found her, interviewed and warned her, but he was not prepared for what would happen next. 

As he gave the infant's mother a warning, Mahapela learnt the mother neglected the baby to try and find food and clothing for her, as the child did not have diapers and was clothed in a black refuse bag. The mother only reportedly had one set of clothes for her baby. Upon learning this, the policeman then used his rest days to share his findings with members of his local church, thereby asking them for donations. With the church's assistance, he went to buy milk, food, toiletries and clothes for the baby.

He also engaged a social worker, who accompanied the mother to the clinic for a medical check-up, as the baby was never taken to the clinic after birth. Upon arrival at the clinic, it was further established that the baby was extremely dehydrated and was referred to Tshepong hospital where she was admitted.

Mahapela and the social worker also noticed that the mother did not have an identity document which makes it difficult to register a birth certificate for the child so she can access social grants.

The policeman and social worker are in the process of helping them to get identity documents.

This story has since been shared on the South African Police Services' social media pages and went on to garner hundreds of comments from civilians who applauded Mahapela for his efforts in trying to better the lives of both the child and her mother since he found them over a week ago.

OFM News