WATCH: Groceries, bedding and renovations for Ramaphosa gogo

Men from the community also offered to revamp the woman's two-room shack

June 28, 2020

Ntombikayise Sibeko 2 minutes read

Assisting gogo Jeantte Dlamini to put on her new winter boots is Sgt Mpho Ngoetjana and Sgt Jan Mokwana. Back, left: David Manyama, Ladonna Brown (Reiger Park SAPS VFR), Katlego Mohuli, Sgt Malwela Ramovha, Mapheello Ramosoeu (Reiger Park SAPS VFR) and Charles Shilopo.

While violence against women and children is still rife in our country, the Reiger Park SAPS, Men for Change, Victim-friendly Room (VFR) members and some male community members said no to the killing of women and children through their act of kindness showed to a 71-year-old woman from Ramaphosa Road Reserve.

Jeanette Dlamini got a huge surprise on June 19 when tons of grocery packs, bedding sets, clothes, a single bed, blankets and many more were delivered to her house.

Men from the community also offered to revamp the woman’s two-room shack. Sgt Jan Mokwana, from the Reiger Park SAPS, said after learning about the poor living conditions of the unemployed woman who lives with her three grandchildren from Sgt Malwela Ramovha, they felt the need to reach out to the family.

“We have donated these things from our own pockets with the assistance of other police officers. As men, it’s our responsibility to take care and protect women and children in our area and not kill them. This initiative was our way of giving back to the community as well as sending a strong message to other men to be part of the solution and not perpetrate violence,” Mokwana said.

One of the community members, David Manyama, who has known Dlamini since 1998, said it has always been their wish to make Dlamini happy.

“We know the little help we are offering this family will go a long way. It will also make us happy to see gogo living in a decent shack,” Manyama said.

Dlamini’s grandchild, Katlego Mohuli, who is an unemployed graduate, said he was grateful for the items they received from the police officers.

“The situation was really bad here at home. We are grateful for the wonderful gesture,” said Mohuli.

Dlamini expressed gratitude for the donation. Mokwana highlighted they are still going to assist one of the grandchildren to get an identity document.

“We would like to thank everyone who came on board and donated to this family. This shows that if we are united we can do more to make our communities a peaceful place to live in,” Mokwana said.