FACEBOOK connection has done wonders for the destitute, disabled and epileptic Marlon Peter Harper (54), thanks to the kindheartedness of Brad Bennetts.
Brad met Marlon on August 15 in Scottburgh, KwaZulu Natal. Their chat, which was started by Marlon talking about beach buggy Brad was driving, revealed that both men were actually from the South of Johannesburg.
Marlon was a member of the South African Police in Booysens and worked with firearm licences. After his National Service, he was a traffic cop in Johannesburg and Sandton before joining the SAPS.
Brad who is an unemployed ex-police officer with 21 years of service and disabled due to a police accident, urges any of his older police friends or people from the South who know or recognise Marlon, to let him know.
One of the amazing moments that Brad remembered when he met Marlon was his sincerity. “He at no time asked me for money when I met him. He needed just R1 to make up enough to purchase something to eat. I gave him R10 on that day and he wanted to return the R9 change to me. I realised then that he is a proud and humble man who just needs a friend so he is not alone,” explained Brad.
Since Brad posted his photo with Marlon, scores of people have pledged their support.
Some of the comments on Facebook:
Michelle Ann Souries Pelser: My husband knows him; he worked with my husband at the Johannesburg traffic department.
Faith Van Wyk: Oh, please – I hope someone will help him and reunite him with his family. No-one is perfect. God be with him and take care of him. Thanks, Brad. You are one fantastic guy.
Ann Phillips: Well done, Brad. This was an awesome thing to do. I hope he finds his family.
Debby Robinson Thomas: He was such a super guy at school. He was in our year at Saints, Matric 1981.
Arthur Leach: If I was in a position to help I would. I knew the whole family but lost contact when I went to the army in 1977.
Anyone who wants to help Marlon reunite with his family can contact Lucky Thusi on 011 724 7000.
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