Dedicated CPF member Wayne Stebbing selfless to a fault – CPF
Despite being unemployed for four years, dedicated Benoni Community Policing Forum (CPF) member Wayne Stebbing couldn’t help but put others’ needs before his own.
The 33-year-old died on August 2 from what is believed to be a heart attack.
Stebbing’s mother, Amanda (65), said her son put the community first after he joined the CPF in 2012.
She said her son became an “information centre” of happenings in Benoni, especially in Northmead, where he had the call sign ‘N4’.
“He wanted to be a cop when he was small, but he had no matric so he could not join, so this (the CPF) was the second best,” said Amanda.
The passion was evident, as he used to belong to about 70 community groups and would receive roughly 6 000 SMSs or WhatsApp messages a day about happenings in the town.
“It was his life; it was his passion,” the mother added.
“He used to tell people that his phone is on 24/7 and that if they needed him, they should call.”
Stebbing, who did not have money to repair his car, would occasionally hop on his bicycle and ride to scenes which were reported to him, in order to investigate and spread the news to the public.
CPF executive chairperson for the Ekurhuleni Central Cluster, Reza Patel, and Benoni SAPS station commander, Brig Johan Jacobs, are some of those who praised the Northmead resident for his selfless deeds. Patel asked people to reflect upon Stebbing’s impact on them.
“He is an example of how it is possible to achieve much in the face of incredible odds, always assisting, despite many impediments – in fact, selfless, to a fault,” said Patel.
“His absence will be felt by many outside of this ‘family’, in so many ways and sadly, by some that will never know how.”
Jacobs said Stebbing made a significant contribution to police arrests.
“His contribution made a massive difference – a big void has been left,” the commander said.
Stebbing was not married and did not have children.
The funeral will be held at the Benoni Cemetery on August 10, at 1pm.
Also read:
Police investigating murder of woman (18) found near church
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