Hi-Tech heroes are awarded for bravery

Hailed as unsung heroes of the Lowveld, four Hi-Tech reaction officers were recently deservedly awarded for their immense bravery in difficult and dangerous circumstances.

These four were recognised and awarded at Hi-Tech Security’s Annual Medal Parade last week. Some of these officers were even shot in the process of trying to keep the Lowveld community safe and free from crime.

The Johnny Robert Kerswill Courage Cross Award, named after the previous owner of Hi-Tech Nelspruit, went to a man who risked running into a burning house to save two people, and sustained third-degree burns in the process.

ALSO READ: Taxi spiked, 12 passengers robbed on N4 near Hectorspruit

It was in January 2021 when Sunday Doctor Ntimba was alerted about a house on flames in Barberton.

Hi-Tech’s Frank Swanepoel said Ntimba had rushed into the house, where he found a burning gas cylinder that he thought to be the cause of the blaze.

Ntimba carried it out with his bare hands, saving the lives of the two people inside. He received third-degree burns to his hands, but has since recovered and was awarded for his courage and bravery.

Gustav Basson Bravery Award, named after Hi-Tech’s first officer to die in a shoot-out, was awarded to three Hi-Tech reaction officers: Richman Malapane, Jimmy Mpuru and Dirk Steyl. Mpuru had responded to a panic at a filling station in Dullstroom in May, when six armed suspects started shooting at him.

“He was shot once in the shoulder and shot back at the suspects. It is believed he had hit one of the suspects,” said Swanepoel.

ALSO READ: Heavy articulated truck up in flames after collision near Lydenburg

“Jimmy stayed behind after the suspects fled to make sure all the innocent people were okay, and only after the SAPS had showed up did he go to the hospital to get treated for his wound.”

Meanwhile, in June, Malapane was ambushed while sitting in his car in a parking lot opposite the Engen Garage in Hazyview. The attack was captured on CCTV and showed two men running towards the vehicle with their guns drawn, firing wildly.

Eight shots in total were fired into the car before one of the robbers opened the door, grabbed the keys and stole the officer’s gun.

The footage then shows the two men walking off, leaving the car door open and the officer for dead.

Malapane, who is in his 40s, was rushed to Kiaat Hospital by a Hi-Tech ambulance, with a gunshot wound in his back. He has since recovered.

Steyl received the Gustav Basson Bravery Award after he had responded to a scene at Riverside Mall earlier this month.

“He didn’t take his usual route and instead took the entrance from the casino’s side. If he had taken his usual route, he would have been shot upon entering the premises, since several suspects were already waiting at the entrances.

“He showed up and had only one pillar between him and the multiple armed suspects. They fired seven shots and missed Dirk, and he fired three shots back,” said Swanepoel.